
Author . 



Title 



Imprint. 



THE 

BURNING OF CHAMBERSBUKG, 

PENNSYLVANIA. 
REV. B?^.^SCHNECK, D. D., 

AN EYE-WITNESS AND A SUFPEKEK. 
WITH 

CORROBOUTIVE STATEMENTS 



REV. JOSEPH CLARK, HON. A. K. MoCLURE, J. HOKE, ESQ. 
AND REV. S. J. NICCOL LS. 




PHILADELPHIA: 
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. 

1864. 

c 







CAXTON PRESS 



F SHERMAN & CO. 



THE BUENING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 



LETTER I. , 

My dear Friend : 

Your request to give you a succinct and, as far as may 
Tbe,- detailed account of tlie terrible calamity with which 
our town was visited on the 30th day of July, is received. 
You are pleased to say, that not only my long residence 
in the place, but the fact that I had, as on former occa- 
sions, so also during the present one, remained at home, 
gives me a right to speak on the subject, without the fear 
of cavil or sneer from those who are ready, either from 
ignorance or something worse, to misrepresent the facts in 
the case, or applythe ill-timed weapons of ridicule and 
sarcasm against some statements which have appeared in 
print.* Passing by your other remarks, which I may be 
permitted to set down as emanating from personal parti- 
ality, I shall proceed to give you, as perfectly as I can, 
and as briefly as the subject will allow, a somewhat de- 

* Reference is here made chiefly to the New York Herald and the Tribune, 
both' of which sheets have manifested a spirit towards our deeply aflicted 
sufferers akin to that of their very enemies themselves. The Tribune, instead 
of allowing itself to be corrected by the Hon. A. K. McClure, in the Philadel- 
phia Press, turns aside from the subject wi'th miserable attempts at joking, as 
trivial as they are heartless. And these are oxir friends. This is humanita- 
rian philanthropy. 

2 



6 THE BURNING OF CHAMBEESBURG. 

tailed account of the terrible disaster, divesting myself as 
far as possible from any personal feeling in the matter, 
and, avoiding all special pleading and overdrawn state- 
ments, deal only in simple matters of fact, as far as I 
have been able to gather them, either from personal know- 
ledge or unquestionable authority. 

The Ttlilitary Situation on the Border. 

Before proceeding directly to the narration of the terri- 
ble catastrophe, it may be well to glance at the military 
situation on our border. This seems the more necessary 
from the fact, that a very large portion of the public 
prints have been misled into the belief, and consequently 
have unwittingly led their readers to believe that, "if the 
citizens of Chambersburg had turned out to resist the 
enemy, the burning and pillage of the town could have 
been averted," inasmuch as the rebel force, according to 
some statements, was very trifling, " scarcely numbering 
two hundred men." You, my dear friend, are laboring 
under this erroneous belief yourself. Allow me, therefore, 
to turn your attention to the following facts, which are 
well established and which can be corroborated by any 
amount of evidence. 

General Couch, the commander of this military division, 
had under his control a company of cavalry (about one hun- 
dred men) at Mercersburg, sixteen miles southwest from 
here, and a section of a battery of artillery in this place. 
This was the entire military force in the Cumberland Valley 
under the control of our military commander. Several 
Pennsylvania regiments which had previously been organ- 
ized for the defence of the border through the efforts of 
our vigilant Governor, had been summoned by the General 



THE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBURG. 7 

Government to Washington and the Potomac Army. One 
hundred men and two small cannon ; that was all. But 
you ask : "Was not General Averill near enough to have 
prevented the rebels from executing their nefarious design 
upon your town ? and if so, why did not General Couch 
inform him of the situation of affairs and urge him for- 
Avard?" The answer is at hand. General Couch did 
attempt to inform General Averill in time of the fact that 
the enemy, with a force about three thousand strong, had 
crossed the Potomac west of Williamsport, and was moving 
by way of Mercersburg and St. Thomas directly on Cham- 
bersburg. Averill was encamped one mile from Green- 
castle (ten from Chambersburg) on Friday night, July 29. 
The first two messengers with despatches from General 
Couch could not find him. The third messenger succeeded 
accidentally in finding him after midnight in a field. Ave- 
rill only now discovered that he had been flanked on the 
left by the enemy, and expressed himself greatly surprised 
and chagrined to the messenger at this state of things. 
Whether he was to blame or not, is not for me to say. It 
is sufficient for my purpose just now to know that, beyond 
two small cannon and one hundred men, we were ivithout 
any military protection. And could the few hundred citi- 
zens of the place, most of them without firearms, be ex- 
pected to make a resistance against such a force, and with 
four cannon planted on the hills overlooking the town? 
To ask the question is to answer it. 

In reading over the two preceding paragraphs it oc- 
curred to me that the impression might have been made 
on your mind, that I wished to find fault with the Gene- 
ral Government for removing from us all military protec- 
tion on our border. I have no wish to do so in this letter. 



8 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

I am no militarj man, and hence am not so positive in my 
opinions as many other men, "who are doubtless far more 
capable of forming a judgment in such matters. I merely 
mention the simple facts as they are patent to all here 
who had the best opportunities of knowing the true state 
of things. So, too, in regard to both the Generals named. 
There is, since the burning of our town, a yery strong 
feeling of disapprobation in our community and elsewhere 
against both, especially against General Couch. I cannot 
as yet share this feeling. I know how apt we are, especi- 
ally when smarting under severe personal losses or griev- 
ances, to look around for some object upon which, or some- 
person on whom to lay the blame. For my part, I 
would rather err on the side of charity than on the side of 
unjust fault-finding and denunciation. I prefer, until 
better advised, to indorse the views of my friend Colonel 
A. K. McClure, himself one of the sufferers, and well 
posted in such matters. He says : 

" General Averill possibly might have saved Chambers- 
burg, and I know that General Couch exhausted himself 
to get Averill to fall back from Greencastle to this point. 
I do not say that General Averill is to blame, for he was 
under orders from General Hunter, and not subject to 
General Couch. He had a large force of the enemy in 
his front, and until it is clearly proved to the contrary, I 
must believe that he did his whole duty." 

These two sentences are guardedly worded. " General 
Avei'ill possibly might have saved Chambersburg." The 
enemy, under McCausland, Bradley Johnson, and Gilmore, 
let it be recollected, had at least three thousand cavalry, 
with artillery at command, eight hundred of whom were 
in town, the rest within supporting distance. Johnson's 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSUURG. 5J 

command occupied the high eminence one mile west of 
the town with a battery. No better position could have 
been desired. Thej were flushed at the prospect of plun- 
der and pillage ; their horses were fresh and sleek ; their 
men resolute and defiant. On the other hand, Averill and 
his men had been worn out and jaded by long and heavy 
marches in Western Virginia for a number of consecutive 
weeks. Their horses were run down and many of chem 
ready to die, so that two hundred and fifty of these last 
could not be taken any farther, but were left here to re- 
cruit. It is therefore only 2^os§ihle, scarcely probable, 
that, even if Averill's force of less than two thousand five 
hundred men had been here, a successful resistance could 
even then have been made under these circumstances. 
But Averill and his men were not here until several hours 
after the work of destruction was accomplished, and the 
enemy, gloating over his vengeful deeds, was miles away 
on the Western turnpike, towards McConnellsburg, in Ful- 
ton County. 

Judge then, dear sir, how keenly we must feel the re- 
proaches heaped upon us by professed friends, after our 
houses are in ruins, our goods despoiled, and our hearts 
saddened at every step we take in beholding continuous 
squares of desolation in our once beautiful town. And 
reproaches /or what ? Because a picket guard of one hun- 
dred soldiers and a small number of citizens, did not suc- 
cessfully resist more than three thousand* veteran cavalry- 
men, with cannon eligibly planted to lay waste the town 

=* Since the foregoing was written it has been ascertained to a certainty 
that there were three thousand men exclusive of the eight hundred and thirty- 
one who were in the town ; a larger force than that which routed Milroy's 
whole military force a year ago, cannon and all, at Winchester. 



]0 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSEURG. 

without even coining into it. That commanding position 
once gained by the enemy, and the town Avas at his mei'cy, 
no iBatter Avhat force of cavah-y or infantry might have 
been in Chambersburg. 

~^E.eproaches — and from tvliom and whence ? From cer- 
tain newspaper editors of New York ; that same New York 
which, with its popuhition of half a million, could not quell 
its rabble mob last year, without having a part of the Po- 
tomac Army brought thither to guard some of the very 
ncAvspaper offices from which those reproaches upon a 
helpless town in a neighboring State are so unjustly 
heaped ; that same New York and those identical news- 
papers which, because a large portion of their soldiery 
Avho Avere around and in this place a year ago, Avere not 
treated with f^tes. and ovations as our "protectors," have 
ever and anon sent forth paragraphs of bitter invective 
against Pennsylvania in general, and Chambersburg in 
particular, for the " ill treatment of the New York militia" 
at the hands of our citizens.* New York is a great State 
and counts its noble and good men by hundreds of thou- 
sands ; but like every large State with large tOAvns and 
cities, she also counts her thousands of depraved and 
wretched creatures in human shape. And I speak from 
personal knoAvledge, for they were quartered for weeks 
near my late residence, when I say that of all the thou- 
sands who Avere in this community, from every portion of 
the country, since the commencement of this Avar, none 



* Among the many thousands who have been quartered and encamped here, 
I have never heard of a single soldier (the New York militia of course ex- 
cepted) who did not speak in the most grateful terms of the universally kind 
treatment towards them from our citizens. For proof, I appeal to these 
thousands among the living, wherever they may now be found. 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 11 

have left behind them such a bad moral odor as the ma- 
jority of these very men. Drunkenness, wanton destruc- 
tion of property, thieving, fighting and stabbing each other 
(in some cases to death outright), -were almost daily occur- 
rences. And yet such men are not only allowed to vilify 
and abuse the very people whom their misconduct has 
outraged, but certain New York sheets take up their cause 
and pour forth wormwood and gall upon the town, the 
community, and the State. Let a virtuous public pro- 
nounce its verdict. 

I would not have troubled you with this dark chapter 
if it were not necessary in order to understand the animus 
of the splenetic course of the newspapers referred to. 
These editors, under the pretext of "defending the citi- 
zens of New York," have most iinaccountably, unjustly, 
and without the shadow of provocation, except it be the 
desolation and ruin of hundreds of homes and hearths, 
assailed and sneered at a deeply afflicted community, Avhicli 
has poured out of its former means to the soldiers of our 
armies at home and abroad without stint and wnth cheerful 
alacrity, and by night and by day Avatched and ministered 
at the sick and dying beds of our soldiers Avithout distinc- 
tion of nation or State, and among them not a few of this 
very Noav York militia. I speak that which I do know. 
"Defending the citizens of New York !" Heaven forefend I 
The true citizens of New York do not Avant such men 
to be defended, just as the citizens of Philadelphia do not 
want the character of their pickpockets or the denizens of 
the State prison to be defended. Not a foAV of the men 
from New York to w^hom reference has been made, boasted, 
Avhilst here, that they had had some "fine times" in the 
Tombs. Fitting place for such " citizens." Whether it 



12 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

is less fitting to defend them at the expense of the good 
name of others, you yourself may judge. 

Yours, &c. 



L E T T E R 1 1. 

My dear Friend : 

You are aware that the late incursion of the enemy was 
not the first visit we had from our Southern " friends." 
In the fall of 1862, we had Stuart's cavalry raid, and 
in 1863, the invasion by Lee's army. Since the first of 
July of the present year, up to the time of McCausland's 
advent, the entire community, especially the farmers, 
were kept in constant uneasiness. Twice before had 
they been robbed of horses, wagons, and grain. The har- 
vest had just commenced, and now the enemy was again 
on the border. During the first three weeks of July, 
they felt it necessary to remove their most essential per- 
sonal property. Merchants packed up and sent away at 
least a portion of their, goods eastward. But in each case 
the rebels did not come, and some degree of apathy in 
the community was the result. But this did not last long. 
On the morning of July 29th, unmistakable evidence of 
the crossing of squads of rebel cavalry over the Potomac, 
reached us. The citizens of Chambersburg, with very 
few exceptions, remained. Indeed, early in the evening 
we were assured that a considerable force of our troops 
were on their way from Harrisburg, which, however, like 
many previous assurances, telegrams, and rumors, were 



THE BURNING OF CIIAMEERSBURG. li> 

not realized. Our scouts soon reported the near approach 
of the rebels, and by three o'clock on the morning of 
Saturday, the 30th, the citizens who had gone out with 
their arms and a section of the battery, having satisfied 
themselves of the overpowering strength of the enemy, fell 
back to town. Three shells were now thrown over the 
town by the rebels from the hills beyond, and as these 
did not elicit a reply, eight hundred and thirty-one of 
their number came to town, their skirmishers simul- 
taneously investing every street and alley, gradually 
moving forward, and then halting until the signal or foi'~ 
ward command was again given. Our town was once 
more in subjection to rebel rule. The centre of the town 
was filled with them. They called together several of the 
citizens who were on the street, requesting them to collect 
some of the prominent inhabitants with a view of entering 
into negotiations. To this end the Court-house bell was 
rung. The summons to the citizens was very partially 
obeyed. It was felt that nothing could be done by nego- 
tiation, and that they must submit to pillage, — the most 
they anticipated. The few who did come together, were 
approached by Captain Fitzhugh, one of McCausland's 
staff, who produced and read a written order, signed by 
General Jubal Early, directing the command to proceed to 
Chambersburg, to demand a tribute of $100,000 in gold, 
or $500,000 in Northern currency, and, on the failure to 
secure this sum, to proceed to burn the town in retaliation 
of the burning of six or eight houses specified as having 
been burned in certain counties in Virginia, by General 
Hunter. The citizens stated that it was utterly impossi- 
ble to pay the sum named either in gold or currency, and 
that the demand could not be made in good faith. They 



14 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERvSBURG. 

further remonstrated, to some extent, against the mon- 
strositj of burning a whole town of six thousand inhabi- 
tants, in retaliation for the six or eight houses named. 
So utterly incredulous were they, as to the threat being 
actually carried out, that they expressed their incredulity 
without reserve. Captain Fitzhugh replied with a clinch- 
ing oath, that these orders would be carried out very 
quickly. He immediately issued his orders to his men, a 
barrel of kerosene and matches were secured, and in less 
than twenty minutes the town was fired in a dozen places, 
and they continued the incendiary work for about one hour. 
I may here say, that most of the store-goods had been re- 
moved, and a few prominent citizens had left, but that no 
families, women, or children had departed. The burning 
was executed in the most ruthless and unrelenting man- 
ner.* 

" A squad of men would approach a house, break open 
the door, proceed to the most convenient part of the house, 
and kindle a fire, with no other notice to the inmates, except 
to get out of it as soon as they could. In many cases, five, 
ten, fifteen minutes, were asked to secure some clothing, 
which were refused. Many families escaped with only the 
clothing they had on, and such as they could gather up in 
their haste. In many cases they were not alleived to take 
these, but were threatened with instant death if they did 
not cast them away and flee. Sick and aged people had 
to be carried to the fields. The corpses of one or two 
persons who had recently died, were hastily interred in the 
gardens, and children, separated from their parents, ran 

* This and several following paragraphs are quoted, with & few slight modi- 
fications, from a brief and well-written article by the Rev. Josejih Clark, in 
the Philadelphia "Presbyterian" of August 6. 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG, 15 

wildly screaming through the streets. Those whose stupor, 
or eagerness to save something, detained them, emerged 
with difficulty from the streets filled with the sheeted 
flames of their burning homes. I should say here, that 
no provocation had been given ; not a shot was fired on 
them in entering the town, and not until the full crisis was 
reached, did desperation, in a few instances, lead to des- 
perate acts, and a few of the incendiaries left their bones 
to smoulder in the ruins. 

"As to the result, I may say that the entire heart or body 
of the town is burned. Not a house or building of any 
kind is left on a space of about an average of two squares 
of streets, extending each way from the centre, with some 
four or five exceptions, where the buildings were isolated. 
Only the outskirts are left. The Court-house, Bank, ToAvn 
Hall, German Reformed Printing Establishment, every 
store and hotel in the town, and every mill and factory 
in the space indicated, and two churches, were consumed. 
Between three and four hundred dwellings were burned, 
leaving at least twenty-five hundred persons without a home 
or a hearth. In value, three-fourths of the town was des- 
troyed. The scene of desolation must be seen to be appre- 
ciated. Crumbling walls, stacks of chimneys, and smoking 
embers, are all that remain of once elegant and happy homes. 

" As to the scene itself, it beggars description. My own 
residence being in the outskirts, and feeling it the call of 
duty to be with my family, I could only look on from 
without. The day was sultry and calm, not a breath stir- 
ring, and each column of smoke rose black, straight, and 
single ; first one, and then another, and another, and 
another, until the columns blended and commingled ; and 
then one vast and lurid column of smoke and flame rose 



16 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

perpendicular to the sky, and spread out into a vast crown, 
like a cloud of sackcloth hanging over the doomed city ; 
whilst the roar and the surging, the crackling and crash 
of falling timbers and walls, 'broke upon the still air with 
a fearful dissonance, and the screams and sounds of agony 
of burning animals, hogs, and cows, and horses, made the 
welkin horrid with sounds of woe. It was a scene to be 
witnessed and heard once in a lifetime." 

To you and other friends, more or less familiar with 
Chambersburg, it will be interesting to specify a little 
more particularly the localities which have been laid waste. 
Beginning on East Market Street, the one leading from 
Gettysburg to Pittsburg, directly through the centre of 
the town from east to west, the burning commenced sim- 
ultaneously w^ith the Court-house and Mansion-house 
(Printing Establishment of the German Reformed Church). 
Facing the west from the Eranklin Railroad, the first 
building to the right is the residence of the M'sses Denny, 
in a somewhat isolated position. This stands in its fresh- 
ness and beauty, solitary and alone. Passing down two 
squares to the centre of the town, not one building and 
only two or three stables or barns remain on either side 
of this street of private residences, my own with all of my 
library and manuscripts even, among the number. Pass- 
ing further on westward for more than three squares in 
length, to the top of " New England Hill," five or six 
more or less isolated houses remain. The large Franklin 
Hotel, the Arcade Buildings, John B. Cook's houses and 
tannery, Riley's Hotel, the late Matthew Gillan's large 
dwelling, J. M. Wolfkill's store and dwelling, G. W, 
Brewer's and Mrs. Joseph Chambers's beautiful residences, 



THE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBUllG. 17 

are among the many other valuable properties on this 
street, in ruins. 

Then from North Main Street (the street from Carlisle 
to Greencastle), beginning with Mr. Benjamin Chambers's 
new residence, at the Falling Spring, and Mr. W. G, Reed's, 
on the corner, and from here on every house on both sides 
up the square, on to the centre, across it to Queen Street, 
and up to Washington Street, with the exception of Rev. 
Dr. Fisher's, Mr. Reineman's, Lehner's, and Feltman's 
dAvellings, every house, shop, stable, &c., is gone. This 
street, as you know, contained more than three-fourths of 
all our stores, Avarerooms, and shops of business. Then 
comes Queen Street, at the intersection of Second Street, 
beginning at Brandt's (now BroAvn's) hotel, which was 
only partially destroj^ed, sweeping every building (except 
Mrs. Brandt's dAA^elling), on both sides down to the creek, 
over tAvo squares, including Dr. Culbertson's, JNi. Snider's, 
Barnard Wolff's, Mr. Wallace's, and other A^aluable dwell- 
ings and stores. Between eleven and twelve squares of 
the best part of the tOAvn are therefore • in ruins, among 
them many, very many inhabitants, whom you kncAV in 
former years as among your dearest friends, and in. com- 
fortable or affluent circumstances, many of them noAV 
reduced to penury and Avant. 

After I had Avritten the preceding pages, I found a 
minute and Avell-Avritten statement of the subject noAV in 
hand in the "Franklin Repository," of this place, of 
August 24. I take pleasure in giving the following 
extended, although somcAvhat condensed, extracts from 
the same, instead of my own, as the matter Avas evidently 
prepared with judgment and care, under the supervision 
of its editor, Colonel McClure. lie says : 



18 THE BUKNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

" It seems inexplicable to persons and journals at a 
distance that General Couch, a Major-General command- 
ing a department, with his border repeatedly invaded, 
should have no troops. The natural inclination is to 
blame the commander, for it is reasonable to suppose that 
he would endeavor to have an adequate command, and 
also that ample authority would be given him to have 
sufficient force. Just where the blame belongs, we do 
not choose now to discuss ; but we do know that it was 
no fault of General Couch that he Avas unable to defend 
Chambersburg. He organized a Provost Guard Regiment, 
some twelve hundred strong, expressly for duty in his 
department : the men were enlisted under a positive 
assurance, based on the order authorizing the organiza- 
tion, that they were to be kept on duty in the department. 
They were ordered to General Grant after the battles of 
the Wilderness. He organized six regiments of one hun- 
dred days' men before the advent of McCausland, and 
they were ordered to Washington as soon as they were 
ready to move. • We are assured that Governor Curtin, 
fully two weeks before the burning of Chambersburg, 
formally pledged the State to make provision for arming, 
organizing, and paying the entire militia force of the 
border for home defence, if the General Government would 
simply give the uniforms ; and we believe that General 
Couch pressed it upon the Washington authorities to 
uniform the entire force of the southern counties, assur- 
ing them that the people were willing to defend themselves 
if encouraged by granting them uniforms, so as to save 
them from inhuman butchery, but it was denied. We do 
not speak advisedly as to General Couch's corresi^ondence 
with the Washington authorities ; we give no statements 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 19 

at his instance, or based upon information received from 
him or his officers ; but we do write whereof we know, 
Avhen we say that every effort was made to carry these 
measures into effect, and that they were not sanctioned at 
Washington. Wliile we do not assume to fix the respon- 
sibility of this terrible disaster, we do mean that it shall 
not fall upon a commander who was shorn of his strength 
and left helpless with his people. 

The Eebels Enter Chambersburg. 

" The rebels having been interrupted in their entrance 
into the town until daylight, they employed their time in 
planting two batteries in commanding positions, and get- 
ting up their whole column, fully three thousand strong. 
About 6 o'clock on Saturday morning they opened with 
their batteries and fired some half a dozen shots into the 
town, but they did no damage. Immediately thereafter 
their skirmishers entered by almost every street and alley 
running out west and southwest ; and finding their way 
clear, their cavalry, to the number of eight hundred and 
thirty- one, came in under the immediate command of Gene- 
ral McCausland. General Bradley Johnson was with 
him, and also the notorious Major Harry Gilmore. 

Plundering Promptly Commenced. 

" While McCausland and Gilmore Avere reconnoitring 
around to get a deal with the citizens for tribute, his 
soldiers exhibited the proficiency of their training by 
immediate and almost indiscriminate robbery. Hats, 
caps, boots, Avatches, silver-Avare, and everything of value, 
Avere appropriated from individuals on the streets Avithout 
ceremony ; and Avhen a man was met Avhose appearance 



20 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

indicated a plethoric purse, a pistol would be presented to 
his head with the order to "deliver," with a dexterity 
that would have done credit to the freebooting accom- 
plishments of an Italian brigand. 

Tribute Demanded. 

" General McCausland rode up to a number of citizens 
and gave notice that unless five hundred thousand dollars 
in greenbacks, or one hundred thousand dollars in gold 
was paid in half an hour, the town would be burned ; but 
no one responded to his call. He was promptly answered 
that Chambersburg could not and would not pay any ran- 
som. No committee was appointed, and no individuals 
attempted to deal Avith the arch-fiend who had come at 
once to rob and destroy. He had the Court-house bell 
rung to convene the citizens, hoping to frighten them into 
the payment of a large sum of money, but no one attended. 
No sort of eifort was made either by individuals singly 
or in organized capacities to make terms ; all had resolved 
that the freebooter should fulfil his threat rather than 
pay tribute. Infuriated at the determination of our peo- 
ple, Major Gilmore rode up to a group of citizens, con- 
sisting of Thomas B. Kennedy, William McLellan, J. 
McDowell Sharpe, Dr. J. C. Richards, William H. Mc- 
Dowell, W. S. Everett, Edward G. Etter, and M. A. Foltz, 
and ordered them under arrest. He said that they would 
be held for the payment of the money, and if not paid he 
would take them to Richmond as hostages, and also burn 
every house in town. While he was endeavoring to force 
them into an eifort to raise him money, his men commenced 
the work of firing, and they were discharged when it was 
found that intimidation would effect nothing. 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 21 

Burning of Chambersburg-. 

" The main part of the town was enveloped in flames in 
ten minutes, l^o time was given to remove women or 
children, or sick, or even the dead. No notice of the 
kind was communicated to any one ; but like infuriated 
fiends from hell itself the work of destruction was com- 
menced. They did not have anything to learn in their 
horrid trade — they proved themselves experts in their 
calling. They divided into squads, and fired every other 
house, and often every house, if they presented any pros- 
pect of plunder. They would beat in the door with iron 
bars or heavy plank, smash up any furniture with an axe, 
throw fluid or oil upon it, and ply the match. They 
almost invariably entered every room of each bouse, rifled 
the drawers of every bureau, appropriated money, jewelry, 
watches and any other valuables, and often would present 
pistols to the heads of inmates, men and women, and 
demand money or their lives. In nearly half the instances 
they demanded owners to ransom their property, and in a 
few cases it was done and the property burned. Although 
we have learned of a number of persons, mostly widows, 
who paid them sums from twenty-five to two hundred dol- 
lars, we know of but one case where the property was 
saved thereby. Mr. James Kennedy, near town, saved 
his buildings by the payment of two hundred dollars. 
The main object of the men seemed to be plunder. Not 
a house escaped rifling — all were plundered of everything 
that could be carried away. In most cases houses were 
entered in the rudest manner, and no time whatever 
allow^ed even for the families to escape, much less to save 
anything. Many families had the utmost difiiculty to get 
3* 



22 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURa. 

themselves and children out in time, and not. one-half had 
so much as a change of clothing with them. They would 
rush from story to story to rob, and always fire the build- 
ing at once in order to keep the family from detecting 
their robberies. Feeble and helpless women and children 
were treated like brutes — told insolently to get out or 
burn ; and even the sick were not spared. Several inva- 
lids had to be carried out as the red flames licked their 
couches. Thus the work of desolation continued for two 
hours ; more than half of the town on fire at once, and 
the wild glare of the flames, the shrieks of women and 
children, and often louder than all the terrible blasphemy 
of the rebels, conspired to present such a scene of horror 
as has never been witnessed by the present generation. 
No one was spared save by accident. The widow and 
the fatherless cried and plead in vain that they would be 
homeless and helpless. A rude oath would close all hope 
of mercy, and they would fly to save their lives. The 
old and infirm who tottered before them were thrust aside, 
and the torch applied in their presence to hasten their 
departure. So thoroughly were all of them master of the 
trade of destruction that there is scarcely a house standing 
in Chambersburg to-day that they attempted to burn, 
although their stay did not exceed tvt'o hours. In that 
brief period, the major portion of Chambersburg — its 
chief Avealth and business, its capital and elegance — were 
devoured by a barbarous foe ; three millions of property 
sacrificed ; three thousand human beings homeless and 
many penniless ; and all without so much as a pretence 
that the citizens of the doomed village, or any of them, 
had violated any accepted rule of civilized warfare. Such 
is the deliberate, voluntary record made by General Early, 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBEESBURG. 23 

a corps commander in the insurgent array. The Govern- 
ment may not take summary vengeance, although it has 
abundant power to do so ; but there is One whose voice is 
most terrible in wrath, who has declared, ' Vengeance is 
mine ; I will repay ! ' " 

Incidents of the Burning-. 

We find it impossible to make room for all the many 
touching incidents which occurred in the burning of the 
town. The house of Mr. James Watson, an old and fee- 
ble man of over eighty, Avas entered, and because his wife 
earnestly remonstrated against the burning, they fired the 
room, hurled her into it and locked the door on the out- 
side. Her daughters rescued her by bursting in the door 
before her clothing took fire. Mrs. Conner, the widow of 
a Union soldier, who has no means of support, got on her 
knees and begged to save her and her little ones from the fury 
of rebel wrath ; but while she was thus pleading for mercy, 
they fired her little home, and stole ten dollars from her, — 
the only money she had in the world. Mr. Wolfkill, a very 
old citizen, and prostrated by sickness so that he was ut- 
terly unable to be out of bed, plead in vain to be spared 
a horrible death in the flames of his own house ; but they 
laughed at his terror and fired the building. Through the 
superhuman efforts of some friends he was carried away 
safely. Mrs. Lindsay, a very feeble lady of nearly eighty, 
fainted when they fired her house, and was left by the 
fiends to be devoured in the flames : but fortunately a rela- 
tive reached the house in time, and lifting her in a buggy 
in the stable pulled her away while the flames were kissing 
each other over their heads on the street. Mrs. Kuss, wife 
of the jeweller on Main Street, lay dead ; and although 



24 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

they were shown the dead body, they plied the torch and 
burned the house. Mrs. J. K. Shryock was there with 
Mrs. Kuss's dying babe in her arms, and plead for the sake 
of the dead mother and dying child to spare that house, 
but it was unavailing. The body of Mrs. Kuss was hur- 
riedly buried in the garden, and the work of destruction 
went on. The next day it was taken up and interred in the 
Catholic graveyard. When the flames drove Mrs. Shryock 
out with the child, she went to one of the men and pre- 
senting the dying babe, said, "/s tJiis revenge siveet?" 
A tender chord was touched, and without speaking he 
burst into tears. He afterwards followed Mrs. Shryock, 
and asked whether he could do anything for her ; but it 
was then too late. The babe has ceased to be motherless, 
for it shares a mother's sepulchre. The houses of Messrs. 
McLellan, Sharpe and Nixon were saved miraculously. 
They are located east of the railroad, and out of the busi- 
ness part of the town. They were not reached until the 
rest of the town was in flames, and the roads were stream- 
ing with homeless women and children. Mr. McLellan's 
residence was the first one entered, and he was notified 
that the house must be burned. Mrs. McLellan immedi- 
ately stepped to the door, and laying one hand on the rebel 
officer, and pointing with the other to the frantic fugitive 
women and children passing by, said to him, "/S'iV, is not 
your vengeance glutted? We have a home and can get 
another ; hut can you spare no homes for those poor, help- 
less people and their children f When you and I and all 
of us shall meet before the Crreat Judge, can you justify 
this act?" He made no reply, but ordered his command 
away, and that part of the town was saved. Mrs. Louis 
Shoemaker rushed up stairs when they fired her house to 



TEIE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBURG. 25 

save some valuables, and returned -vvitli some silver spoons 
in her hand. She found the rebels quarrelling over a val- 
uable breast-pin of hers, several claiming it by right of 
discovery, and the dispute Avas ended, for the time at least, 
by one rudely taking the spoons from Mrs. Shoemaker and 
dividing them among the squad. Mrs. Denig escaped by 
wetting blankets and throwing them around her, thus en- 
abling her to get out through the burning buildings in the 
rear of her houseo The residence of Mr. McElwaine was 
burned by a squad of rebels, who first demanded and pro- 
cured their breakfast from him, because he was guilty of 
teaching colored children, and he Avas fired at as he made 
his escape. S. M. Royston, bar-keeper at Montgomery's 
Hotel, Avas robbed on his way down stairs of $700, — all the 
savings of his life. He was met by a squad of rebels, and 
dexterously relieved of his money and all valuables. Mr. 
Holmes Crawford Avas taken into an alley while his house 
Avas burning, and his pockets rifled. All he had about him 
Avas $1.60, and that was appropriated. He was thus de- 
tained until it Avas impossible for him to get out by the 
street, and he had to take his feeble wife and sit in the 
rear of his lot until the buildings burned around him. 
Father McCullom, Catholic priest of this place, Avas robbed 
of his AA'atch. He Avas sitting on his porch, and a party of 
rebels came up and peremptorily demanded his watch, 
Avhich he delivered. He was also robbed of his Avatch last 
year by Jenkins's men, the same command that burned 
Chambersburg. Colonel Stumbaugh Avas arrested near 
his liome early in the morning, and with a pistol presented 
to his head ordered to procure some whiskey. He refused, 
for the very good reason that he had none and could get 
none. He was released, but afterAvards re-arrested by 



26 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

another squad, the officer naming him, and was insulted in 
every possible way. He informed the officer that he had 
been in the service, and that if General Battles was pre- 
sent, they would not dare to insult him. When asked why, 
he answered, " I captured him at Shiloh, and treated him 
like a soldier." A rebel Major present, who had been 
under Battles, upon inquiry, was satisfied that Colonel 
Stumbaugh's statement was correct, ordered his prompt 
release, and withdrew the entire rebel force from that part 
of Second Street, and no buildings Avere burned. Colonel 
Boyd's residence, "Federal Hill," was also put under 
guard, Avhen Mrs. Boyd informed them who lived there. 
They had some recollections of Colonel Boyd occasionally 
penetrating the Shenandoah Valley, and it Avas not deemed 
Avholesome to burn his property. Mr, John Treher, of 
Loudon, was robbed by the rebels of $200 in gold and 
silver, and $100 in currency. The money was in a bureau 
draAver, but it Avas most dexterously appropriated by the 
scienced light-fingered gentry of McCausland. They also 
stole all his liquors. Mr. D. R. Knight, an artist, started 
out to the residence of Mr. McClure Avhen he saAv Norland 
on fire, and on his way he was robbed of all his money by 
a squad of rebels. He reached the house in time to aid 
in getting the Avomen aAvay. Rebel officers had begged of 
him before he started to get the Avomen out of tOAvn as fast 
as possible, as many rebel soldiers Avere intoxicated and 
they feared the worst consequences. 

Burning- of ITorland. 

Soon after the Avork of destruction had commenced, a 
squad Avas detailed to burn "Norland," the residence of 
A. K. McClure. It is situated a mile from the centre of 



THE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBUKG. 27 

the town, and no other building was fired within half a 
mile of it, although fifty houses stand between it and the 
burnt portion of Chambersburg. The squad was com- 
manded by Captain Smith, son of Governor Smith (Extra 
Billy), of Virginia, whose beautiful residence near War- 
renton has ever been carefully guarded by Union troops 
when within our lines. The mother and sisters of the 
officer who fired "Norland" have lived in peace and safety 
in their home, under Federal guards, since the war com- 
menced. With the cry of " retaliation," Captain Smith 
proceeded to Mr. McClure's residence. Passing the beau- 
tiful mansion of Mr. Eyster, he supposed he had reached 
the object of his vengeance, and he alighted and met Mr, 
Eyster at the door. " Colonel McClure, I presume," said 
the chivalrous son of Virginia. "• No, sir ; my name is 
Eyster," was the reply. " Where is McClure's house?" 
was the next interrogatory. As the property was evi- 
dently doomed, and in sight, Mr. Eyster could only answer 
that it was further out the road, and the noble warrior 
passed on. He found Mrs. McClure quite ill, having been 
confined to her bed for ten days previous. He informed 
her that the house must be burned by way of retaliation, 
for what particular wrong, he did not seem anxious to 
explain. He magnanimously stated that she should have 
ten minutes to get the family out of the house and away ; 
and to prove his sincerity he at once fired the house on 
each story. To convince Mrs. McClure that he was a 
chivalrous foe, he ordered her to open her secretary while 
the house was in flames around her, and, evidently ambi- 
tious to show his literary tavSte and acquirements, he com- 
menced to read her private letters. Mrs. McClure in- 
formed him that he would doubtless be disappointed in her 



28 THE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBURG, 

assortment of literature, as her husband had no papers or 
letters in the house ; but as he seemed desirous to read 
something, she would commend to him a letter she had 
just received the day before from a rebel prisoner, invok- 
ing the blessing of Heaven upon her and hers for kind 
ministrations to a foe. The Avriter had been here with 
Lee, in June, 1863, and was on guard at the house, and 
was of course treated kindly. The sick of the same com- 
mand, as well those of McCausland's forces, then under 
Jenkins, were all humanely cared for by Mrs. McClure ; 
and the author of the letter, having since been captured, 
and suffering from sickness and destitution, wrote her some 
time before, stating his condition. That she had not 
turned a deaf ear even to a foe when suffering, is evidenced 
by the acknowledgment presented to Captain Smith, which 
was as follows : 

Prisoners' Camp, Point Lookout, Md., 
July 20. 1864. 

Mrs. M. S. McClure. 

Madam : It is with feelings of intense gratitude I ac- 
knowledge the receipt of your letter under date of 21st 

June, inclosing dollars. Words are inadequate to 

express my gratitude for so kind, so benevolent, and unex- 
pected a favor. I can only simply say, many thanks and 
ma}^ God bless you. I have a mother and sisters ; and your 
letter I shall retain and convey to them, in order that they 
may see the Christian kindness of one who is against us, 
and urge that they may emulate your example, and never 
be backward when an opportunity is offered in giving aid 
to a needy Federal soldier. 

As it may never be in my povver to reciprocate the favor 
received at your hands, my prayer is that God may re- 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 29 

ward you for it With best wishes for your 

health and happiness, and trusting that this dark war- 
cloud may soon be dispelled, and peace and happiness and 
prosperity once more smile upon us, 

I am, madam, with much respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

James B. Stamp, 

Co. C, 9th Division 

Such a letter was not just the entertainment to which 
the imperious son of the South considered himself invited. 
Instead of retaliating for wrongs done, he found himself 
about to apply the torch where friend and foe had found 
solace in distress, even his own men having been mercifully 
ministered to there by the one over whose aching head and 
enfeebled limbs he was inviting the fury of the flames. 
He read the letter and answered, " This is awful! it is 
awful to hum this house!" and in vindication of his con- 
trition, he left Mrs. McClure to escape from the fire while 
he proceeded to the adjoining room, and, in a fit of remorse, 
stole Mr. McClure's gold watch and other articles of value. 
Fortunately Mrs. McClure had some of her own clothing 
in a trunk, and one of the squad kindly aided her in get- 
ting it out of the house, and it was saved, but nothing 
belonging to Mr. McClure was allowed to be removed. 
Mrs. Rev. Niccolls, who had rushed to the house, was 
caught on the stairs with a coat on her arms, and it was 
rudely taken from her, with the remark, " Saving anything 
belonging to him is expressly forbidden." In five mi- 
nutes the house was enveloped in flames, and Mrs. McClure 
and the other members of the family at home, started on 
foot, in the heat of the day, to escape the vengeance of 
4 



30 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

the chivalry. The torch was thrust into the large, well- 
filled barn, and in half an hour a few charred walls was all 
that remained of "Norland." Captain Smith could con- 
ceal the watch and other articles he purloined at " Nor- 
land" as trophies of his valor, but the silver pitcher was 
unwieldy, and could not be secreted from profane eyes as 
he rode back through town from the scene of his triumph. 
He resolved, therefore, to give a public display of his gene- 
rosity. He stopped at Rev. Mr. Kennedy's, and handed 
the pitcher to his wife, with the request, " Please deliver 
this to Mrs. Colonel McClure, with the compliments of 
Captain Smith." The goblets were strapped to the saddle 
of one of his squad, and the watch could be pocketed to 
prevent the tell-tale qualities of the pitcher, and they were 
borne off to the land of heroic warriors and noble blood. 

Humane Rebel Officers. 

Fiendish and relentless as were McCausland and most 
of his command, there were notable exceptions, who bravely 
maintained the humanities of war in the midst of the in- 
furiated freebooters who were plying the torch and secur- 
ing plunder. Surgeon Budd was conversing with several 
citizens Avhen the demand for tribute was made, and he 
assured all present that the rebel commander would not 
burn Chambersburg. In the midst of his assurances, the 
flames burst forth almost simultaneously in every part of 
the town. When he saw the fire break out, he wept like a 
child, and publicly denounced the atrocities of his com- 
mander. He took no part in it whatever, save to aid 
some unfortunate ones in escaping from the flames. Cap- 
tain Baxter, formerly of Baltimore, peremptorily refused 
to participate in the burning, but aided many people to 



THE BURNING OP CHAxMBERSBURG. 31 

get some clothing and other articles out of the houses. 
lie asked a citizen as a special favor to write to his friends 
in Baltimore and acquit him of the hellish work. Surgeon 
Richardson, another Baltimorean, gave his horse to a lady 
to get some articles out of the burning town, and publicly 
deplored the sad work of McCausland. When asked who 
his commanding officer was, he answered, "Madam, I am 
ashamed to say that General McCausland is my com- 
mander !" Captain Watts manfully saved all of Second 
Street south of Queen, and with his command aided to 
arrest the flames. He said that he would lose his commis- 
sion rather than burn out defenceless people ; and other 
officers and a number of privates displayed every possible 
evidence of their humanity. One whole company was kept 
by its captain, name unknown, from burning and pillaging, 
and the southeastern portion of Chambersburg stands to- 
day solely because an officer detailed there kept his men 
employed in aiding people out of their burning houses, and 
did not apply the torch at all. After the rebels had left, 
the following note was received by Rev. S. J. Niccolls, 
Presbyterian pastor, written on an envelope with a pencil: 

Rev. Mr. Niccolls : 

Please write my father and give him my love. Tell 
him, too, as Mrs. Shoemaker will tell you, that I was most 
strenuously opposed to the burning of the town. 

B. B. Blair, 

Chaplain, and son of Thomas P. Blair, Shippensburg, Pa. 

That there was a most formidable opposition to burning 
the town in McCausland's command was manifested in 
various, ways. In the morning before daylight, when 



32 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

McCansland Avas at GreenaAvalt's, on the turnpike west of. 
Chambersburg, a most boisterous council was held there, 
at which there were earnest protests made to McCausland 
against burning anything but public property. McCaus- 
land was greatly incensed at some of his officers, and 
threatened them with most summary vengeance if they 
refused to obey orders.* Many, however, did openly dis- 
obey, and went even so far as to give the utmost publicity 
to their disobedience. 

The Order to Burn Chambersburg. 

Captain Fitzhugh exhibited to J. W. Douglas, Esq., an 
attorney of this place, a written order, with the name of 
Jubal A. Early to it, directing that Chambersburg should 
be burned, in retaliation for the burning of six houses in 
Virginia by Hunter. The burning of Chambersburg was 
therefore by order of one of the corps commanders of 
General Lee's army, instead of the work of a guerrilla 
chief, thus placing the responsibility squarely upon the 
shoulders of General Lee. We have in support of this 
the statement of Rev. Mr. Edwards, Episcopal clergyman 
of Hagerstown, who was taken as a hostage after Cham- 
bersburg had been destroyed. He was brought to Gene- 
ral Early's headquarters at Williamsport, and there pa- 
roled to effect his exchange. General Early there informed 
him that he had directed Chambersburg to be burned in 

* McCausland had also insisted upon burning the town in the night, to which 
Johnson and Gilmore persistently objected. Mrs. Greenawalt, a most worthy 
and intelligent woman, overheard this consultation of the officers in an ad- 
joining room. The increased horrors which must have resulted if McCaus- 
land had not been overruled in his determination, may be imagined. 

B. S. S. 



THE BURNING OF CIIAMBEKSBDRa. 8-3 

retaliation for the destruction of property in Virginia by 
Grant, Meade, and Hunter, and that the account was now 
squared. 

Retribution. 

Several of the thieves who participated in burning 
Chambersburg, were sent suddenly to their last account. 
An officer, whose papers identify him as Major Bo wen, 
8th Virginia cavalry, was conspicuous for his brutality 
and robberies. He got too far south of the firing parties 
to be covered by them, and in his desire to glut his thiev- 
ing propensities, he was isolated. He was captured by 
several citizens, in the midst of his brutal work, and was 
despatched promptly. When he was fired at and slightly 
wounded, he took refuge in the burning cellar of one of 
the houses, and there with the intense heat blistering him, 
he begged them to spare his life ; but it was in vain. Half 
the town was still burning, and it was taxing humanity 
rather too much to save a man who had added the boldest 
robbery to atrocious arson. He was shot dead, and now 
sleeps near the Falling Spring, nearly opposite the depot. 
He was about five feet five inches in height, very stoutly 
built, with sandy hair, goatee and mustache, sandy com- 
plexion, full face, and from thirty-five to forty years of 
age. Mr. Thomas H. Doyle, of Loudon, who had served 
in Easton's battery, followed the retreating rebels toward 
Loudon, to capture stragglers. When beyond St. Thomas 
he caught Captain Cochran, quartermaster of 11th Vir- 
ginia cavalry, and as he recognized him as one who had 
participated in the destruction of Chambersburg, he gave 
him just fifteen minutes to live. Cochran was armed with 
sword and pistols, but he was taken so suddenly by Mr. 
4* 



34 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

Doyle that he had no chance to use them. He begged 
piteously for his life, but Mr. Doyle w.as inexorable ; the 
foe who burns and robs must die, and he so informed him 
peremptorily. At the very second he shot the thief dead, 
and found on his person $815 of greenbacks, all stolen 
from our citizens, and $1750 of rebel currency. His 
sword, belt and pistols were brought to this place by Mr, 
Doyle. Scores of McCausland's command were killed on 
the retreat by General Averill's forces. Many of them 
were intoxicated, and all demoralized by plunder, and they 
became an easy prey to our troops who passed through the 
burning town in the pursuit of the barbarians. 



LETTER III. 

Mt dear Friend : 

In your last letter, you ask me what are the feelings of 
our people, especially the sufferers, under the severe stroke 
which has befallen them ; whether desponding or other- 
wise, and whether the spirit of " retaliation for the bitterly 
severe losses and deprivations does not largely manifest 
itself among them." 

In regard to the first, I am enabled to say, that during 
the whole course of my life, I have not witnessed such an 
absence of despondent feeling under great trials and sudden 
reverses of earthly fortune, never such buoyancy and vigor 
of soul, and even cheerfulness amid accumulated woes and 
sorroAvs, as I have during these four weeks of our devas- 
tated town. And I leave you to imagine the many cases 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 35 

of extreme revulsion from independence and affluence to 
utter helplessness and want. The widoAV and fatherless, 
the aged and infirm, suddenly bereft of their earthly all, 
in very many instances, even of a change of clothing. 
Large and valuable libraries, manuscripts, the accumula- 
tions of many years, statuary, paintings, precious and 
never to be replaced mementos — more valued than gol(l or 
silver — gone forever. And yet amid all these losses and 
the consequent self-denial and adaptation to another and 
almost entirely diiferent state of things, to which the great 
majority of the people have been subjected, you seldom see 
a sad or sombre countenance on the street or elsewhere. 
Exceptions there are, doubtless, traceable in part to feeble 
physical constitution, in part also to an inordinate love of 
and dependence upon transitory and evanescent objects. 
But in a general way, the sufferers by this wholesale de- 
vastation, are among the most patient, unmurmuring, 
cheerful, hopeful people I have ever known. God really 
seems to have given special grace in a special time of need. 
When, on the morning after the burning and pillage (God's 
sweet day of rest), I attempted to preach to an hum- 
ble flock of Germans, whom I serve once a Sabbath, a 
godly woman, belonging to the little congregation, wept 
nearly during the whole service. On the way to my lodg- 
ing-place, I overtook her and found her still in tears. 
Fearing I had been misinformed as to her safety from the 
recent calamity, I asked for the cause of her grief. " I 
weep for others, my dear pastor," she replied, " and not 
altogether and entirely for others either, for I fear me 
that if my little all had been burnt before my eyes, I should 
not have grace enough to bear up as you and the rest are 
enabled to do." And then with an outburst of uncon- 



36 THE BURNINa OF CHAMBERSBURa. 

trolled emotion she added, " And you can yet exhort us to 
forgive these our enemies, and not to murmur and repine 
under all this, as not only you yourself but others have 
said. It's this that makes me weep." I freely confess, 
that I have never experienced in my own case, nor in the 
case of others, even under comparatively light and trifling 
losses and deprivations, such resignation, such quiet, gentle 
submission, and such calm endurance, amid the loss of all 
things, as in this instance. To such an extent have been 
these manifestations, that persons from neighboring towns, 
and strangers from a distance, who in great numbers have 
visited the place, almost universally remark upon it. A 
highly intelligent and pious woman in a remote part of the 
county, a few days after the burning, called at the house 
in which a number of the homeless ones were kindly cared 
for. The large dining-table was surrounded by those 
who, a few days before, were in possession of all the com- 
forts and many of the luxuries of life. Pleasant and 
cheerful conversation passed around the board. The visi- 
tor alone seemed sad. Tears stood in her eyes as she looked 
around upon us. " I am amazed beyond measure at you 
all," she said. "I expected to see nought but tears, to 
hear only lamentations and sighs, and here you are as I 
have seen and known you in your bright and happy days, 
calm, and even cheerful !" When one of our number re- 
plied, that no tear over the losses sustained had yet been 
shed by herself, but many tears at the numerous tokens 
of Christian sympathy and generous aid from far and near 
to relieve the immediate necessities of the sufferers, she 
added, " God be thanked for your words ; they sink like 
precious ointment, deep down into my heart. Oh, what a 
commentary on the promised grace of God !" And we 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. Oi 

all felt, I am sure, that among the many gifts of our 
Heavenly Father, not" the least was 

" A cheerful heart, 
That tastes those gifts with joy." 

And in regard to the feeling of revenge — so natural to 
the human heart — I have been gratifyingly disappointed. 
Among the heaviest sufferers, by far the largest propor- 
tion have not only expressed themselves decidedly opposed 
to the spirit of retaliation, but have used their best efforts 
to dissuade our soldiers from carrying their threats into 
execution when opportunity should offer. They have gone 
further, and have drawn up a petition in which they ear- 
nestly implore the Government in Washington, to prevent 
to the utmost, anything of the kind on the part of our 
armjr. They believe it to be morally wrong, no matter 
what the provocation from the other side may be, and 
have always condemned the destruction of private pro- 
perty by our troops in the South, whenever isolated in- 
stances of the kind were reported. They believe more- 
over, with our wise and judicious Governor, that retalia- 
tion "• can do no good to our own people, but a great deal 
of evil, because w^e have more towns, villages, flouring and 
other mills to be destroyed in three counties, than our ene- 
mies in the Southern States have in fifteen or twenty coun- 
ties." 

Such a wholesale, premeditated and cruel work of de- 
struction as the burning of Chambersburg, was never per- 
petrated by Union troops, and Avhen Richmond papers 
have said so, they have said what the facts in the case did 
not warrant. It must be admitted, however, that in too 
many instances, Union troops did destroy private property 



dO THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBUKG. 

unnecessarily and wantonly. We hope in God it will never 
be done again. We trust our commanding officers in 
the army will not allow passion to overrule principle, mili- 
tary rule, and military honor. Within sight of our charred 
and desolated homes, we implore and beseech them not to 
bring reproach upon our Government, trample upon all 
law and order, inaugurate cruel barbarity instead of civi- 
lized warfare, and be guilty of such accumulated horrors 
as have been enacted here. And yet, all this, and much 
more, will follow with unerring certainty, if the immoral, 
dishonorable, and unmilitary spirit of retaliation is carried 
into effect. God in mercy forbid it ! 

In this connection, and for the purpose of showing that 
I am not alone in the views expressed as regards the 
destruction of private property by Union troops on the 
one hand, and the exaggerated or untrue statements of 
the Southern press on the other, I will quote the following 
paragraphs from the pen of Colonel McClure, in his paper 
already referred to. I suppose his statements come as 
near the truth, on both sides of the line, as can well be 
ascertained. He says : 

" Jacksonville (Florida) was fired at a single point when 
our troops Avere retreating from it, because citizens fired 
on our troops from the house, and unfortunately most of 
the town — composed of wooden structures — was destroyed. 
The .firing was in accordance with a well-recognized rule, 
that civilians who shelter themselves in their houses to 
fire upon troops, shall not only lose their property but 
suffer death. Our troops sometimes, and only sometimes, 
enforce the first and milder part of the rule. The rebels 
invariably enforce the entire rule relentlessly, and we 
have yet to hear of complaint from Northern journals 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. o'J 

because they do so. In Alexandria an accidental fii-c, 
resulting from a party of intoxicated soldiers, threatened 
the destruction of the entire town, owing to its inflam- 
mable buildings and unfavorable winds ; but it was arrested 
before one-third of the village — the poorest portion of it 
— was burned. At the head of the force detailed to put 
out the fire was Major-General Banks in person, and by 
his orders and efforts the to^tn was saved. Jackson (Mis- 
sissippi) was partially destroyed by our guns when it was 
defended by the rebels, but it was not fired and burned 
by our troops after possession was gained. Wrongs, even 
atrocities, may have been committed by individual soldiers 
or isolated commands ; but no such thing as deliberately 
and wantonly burning and robbing houses was practised 
by the Union army. Colonel Montgomery committed 
gross outrages on private citizens in two raids in South 
Carolina, which we have never seen reason to justify, but 
he was deprived of his command, or at least subordinated, 
and it may be dismissed, as he should have been. Kil- 
patrick burned mills unwarrantably, as we have ever 
believed, and other Union commanders may have done 
the same ; but it was some excuse that they were filled 
with rebel supplies. While McCausland was on his way 
to Chambersburg to lay it waste. General Rousseau was 
penetrating the richest part of Georgia, and not a single 
private house or building of any kind was destroyed, nor 
were his soldiers permitted to enter a residence on the 
route. When private property was near to Government 
stores, which he had to fire, he detailed men to save all 
but the buildings belonging to or used by the rebel govern- 
ment. General Stoneman enforced the same rules rigidly 
in all his raids, and so did Grierson. The Union troops 



40 THE BUKNING OF CHAMBERSBUKG. 

have captured and occupied hundreds of rebel towns since 
the war has commenced, and they have yet the first time 
to demand the freebooter's tribute, or destroy a town by 
order of a commanding officer. Repeatedly have our 
troops been fired upon and murdered by skulking rebels 
who protected themselves in their dwellings ; but in no 
case has a town been destroyed therefor." 



LETTER ly. 

Dear Friend : 

After my last letter had been beyond my control, I was 
made acquainted with some additional incidents which 
may interest you. 

A lady, well known to me, the mother of a large family 
of children, was ordered to leave the house in five minutes, 
as the house must be burned. She collected them all 
around her to obey the cruel summons. Preparations 
were at once made to fire the building in the rooms above 
and below, and as the family group walked out of the 
large and beautiful mansion, the children burst into loud 
weeping. " I am ashamed of you," said the tenderly 
loving, yet heroic woman, " to let these men see you cry," 
and every child straightened up, brushed away his tears, 
and bravely marched out of the doomed home. 

An elderly woman, of true Spartan grit, gave one of 
the house-burners such a sound drubbing with a heavy 
broom, that the invader retreated, to leave the work of 
destruction to be performed by another party, after the 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. -11 

■woman had left to escape the approaching flames of ad- 
joining buildings.. 

The wife of a clergyman succeeded in preventing one 
of the enemy from firing her house, by reminding him 
that she had fed him during Stuart's raid in 1862, and 
that she also ministered to him when he was in the hos- 
pital in this place in the summer of 186B. The man 
recognized her, and frankly declared that he could not be 
so base as to destroy her house, now that he remembered 
her kind ofiices. He had been wounded and made a 
prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg, was brought to the 
hospital here and afterwards exchanged. 

Mr. Jacob Hoke, one of our most worthy and enter- 
prising merchants, has furnished the following statement 
of facts and incidents for publication in the Religious 
Telescope, in Dayton, Ohio. As his residence and store 
were located in the centre of the town, he had an oppor- 
tunity of witnessing the scenes of the day to greater 
advantage than most others. I may as well inclose the 
principal part of his article, as it explains more fully seve- 
ral general statements before given, whilst, at the same 
time, it brings out some points not alluded to before: 



Mr. Editor : Not having seen, in any published report, 
a satisfactory account of the late rebel raid on Chambers- 
burg, and being a resident here, and an eye-witness, I will 
hastily sketch what came under my own observation, and 
what I have from reliable persons. In Thursday's Phila- 
delphia Inquirer, the correspondent at Frederick stated 
" that our troops were in such numbers, and so situated, 
that for the first time in the history of the war, glorious 
5 



42 TUB BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

news might be expected from the Shenandoah Valley." 
Very high military authority, but a few days prior to the 
raid, assured us "that every ford of the Potomac was 
strictly watched ; that it was impossible for the enemy to 
cross; that if they only would cross it would be the best 
thing that could happen, as they could never get back 
again." In this way our community was lulled into com- 
parative security, until on Friday, July 29th, at 12| 
o'clock, it was announced that the rebels had crossed in 
considerable force at Williamsport, and also at Cherry 
Run. No one could depict the scene of excitement that 
then occurred. Merchants, and others commenced pack- 
ing, shipping, and otherw^ise disposing of their valuables. 
At eight o'clock in the evening General Hunter's large 
wagon train commenced passing through our town toward 
Harrisburg, and continued passing during the greater 
part of the night. I think our citizens will^ouch for the 
truth of what I say, that at least fifteen hundred cavalry 
and two hundred infantry passed through with that train, 
as guards and as stragglers. That these men were not 
stopped here by General Couch, who did not leave town 
until three o'clock in the morning, is explained by the as- 
sertion that they were under orders from General Hunter 
to guard his train. That train was entirely safe after it 
had passed through Chambersburg, and that body of men, 
judiciously posted, could, with the artillery in town, and 
the citizens, have held the enemy in check until Averill 
could arrive, who was then ten miles distant, and threat- 
ened in his front by a force of rebels who, it is now evi- 
dent, were only making a demonstration to hold him until 
the other, and heavier, column, under McCausland and 
Gilmore, could effect their object in Chambersburg. 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 4o 

I sat at my window, on the corner of the Diamond, and 
saw them enter. Skirmishers, dismounted, led the ad- 
vance, followed by cavalry. They came in simultaneously 
in all the streets and alleys, and called to each other as a 
signal, as they reached the centre of the Diamond. In 
five minutes after, a force of about four hundred cavalry 
filed around the Public Square, and immediately com- 
menced the work of plunder. The first building broken 
open was Mr. Paxton's shoe and hat store ; then the liquor 
stores adjoining my residence. I met them at my store 
door and unlocked it, when about twenty entered it and 
commenced a thorough search. Finding it empty, they 
inquired where I had my goods, to which I replied, I had 
shipped them to Philadelphia. Returning from the room, 
I locked the door and sat down by it, and entered into 
conversation with a gentlemanly-looking man, who in- 
formed me he was the chaplain to McCausland's command. 
His name he gave as Johnston, born in Fayette County, 
Pennsylvania ; said he was a Methodist preacher. During 
our conversation, an officer dismounted at m}'- door, tied 
his horse, and listened to our conversation, where he re- 
mained until the circumstance occurred to which I shall 
presently refer. The chaplain said to me, " Do you reside 
in this house?" I replied affirmatively. He then said 
they were rolling several barrels of combustible matter 
into the Court-house, near my residence ; that they were 
going to burn it, and I had better try to save something 
from our house. Leaving these two men at the door, I ran 
up stairs and carried a load of precious articles from the 
parlor table, consisting of a valuable family Bible, books, 
photograph album, &c., to a neighbor's house, where I pre- 
sumed they would be safe. They were all burned there, 



44 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

hoAvever. Next, I carried some bed-clothing to a different 
part of the town, and they were saved. Returning to the 
house, I encountered a rebel officer in one of the rooms. 
Said he, "Do you belong to this house?" Telling him I 
did, he said, "My friend, for God's sake, tell me what 
you value most, and I will take it to a place of safety. 
They are going to burn every house in the town." I told 
him if that was the case, it was no use to remove anything, 
as they might as well burn there as elsewhere. 

By this time my wife and two other occupants of the 
house came down stairs with each a carpet-bag packed 
with clothing. The officer followed us to the door, and en- 
treated one of the women to mount his horse and ride him 
oif, as he declared he did not w^ant him any more in the 
rebel service. Another man unbuckled his sword and put 
it in our house, in disgust at the scene enacting. It was 
afterward found among the ruins. At the door I found 
the officer, to whom I previously referred, crying bitterly. 
The flames were bursting from buildings all around us. 
" See," said he, " this is awful work. God ! 0, my God, 
has it come to this, that we have to be made a band of 
thieves and robbers by a man like McCausland !" I have 
seen many men weep, but never did I see a strong, robust 
man hide, with his handkerchief, from his sight, the ap- 
palling scene, and cry at the top of his voice, "0 God, 
mighty God! See, see!" 

Reader, imagine the feelings of my family as, but an 
hour before this, I read, unintentionally, the 138tb Psalm, 
in which I found these words : " Though I walk in the 
midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me : thou shalt stretch 
forth thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy 
right hand shall save me." We knelt in prayer, and sur- 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURa. 45 

rounded the breakfast-table under the conviction that it 
was for the last time in that dear home. Then the hasty 
snatching of precious relics of dear departed ones, passing 
hastily from room to room, leaving clothing, beds, furni- 
ture, library, pictures — all to the devouring flames. In 
our parlor hung the photographs of several of our bishops, 
with many others. These were either carried away by the 
rebels or burned. At the door, we encountered the inci- 
dent we have previously narrated ; and leaving the officer 
weeping, we pressed our way through flame and smoke, 
amidst burning buildings, to the suburbs of the town, 
where we sat down and watched four hundred buildings in 
flames, two hundred and seventy-four of which were dwell- 
ing-houses, the affrighted occupants of which were running 
wildly through the streets, carrying clothing and other ar- 
ticles, while screams of anguish from lost children in pur- 
suit of parents, the feeble efforts of the old and infirm to 
carry with them some endeared- article from their blazing 
homes, the roaring and crackling of the flames, falling 
walls and blinding smoke, all united to form a picture of 
the horrible which no pen could describe, no painter por- 
tray. For three hours the fire raged. At about 11 
o'clock, the rebels left town, as Averill's scouts captured 
five rebels within one mile of the town. In three hours 
after their exit, Averill filed through the streets, followed 
by nearly four thousand men. Eatigued and hungry, both 
men and horses, they could not travel fast, but the sight 
of the ruins raised the men to a frenzy, many of whom 
shouted, "No quarter to McCausland's men." 



46 THE burning; of ClIAMBERSBUKG. 



Incidents. 

In our flight through the streets, the rebel ofiicer alluded 
to, followed us half a square, entreatmg one of the wo- 
men to mount and ride off his horse, declaring that he was 
done with the rebel service. No sooner did he turn away, 
than another rode up and demanded our carpet-bags ; we 
ran on, and he turned back without them. Brother Win- 
ton, while fleeing with his wife and little children, was 
stopped by a cavalryman and compelled to deliver his shoes 
and hat. Hundreds of robberies occurred of hats, shoes, 
watches, money, &c. An old and very estimable lady, 
who had not walked for three years, was told to run, as 
her house was on fire. She replied that she had not walked 
for three years. With horrid curses, the wretch poured 
powder under her chair, declaring that he would teach her 
to walk ; and while in the act of applying fire to his train, 
some neighbors ran in and carried her away. A cavalry- 
man rode up to a house, and thus addressed the occupant: 
" Are you not a school teacher ?" " Yes, sir," replied the 
man. "Did you ever teach niggers?" "Yes, sir." 
" Damn him, fire his house !" He was not permitted even 
to enter to save a single article. 

The burning mass appeared to converge toward the Dia- 
mond, forming fearful whirlwinds, that at times moved 
eastwardly along the line of Market Street. At one time 
an immense whii-lwind passed over where a large lot of 
bedding and wearing apparel had been collected, raising 
nearly one hundred yards into the air large feather beds. 
Shirts, and lighter articles, were conveyed with fearful 
velocity high in the air, alighting at a great distance 
from where they lay. It was grand and fearful, adding 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 47 

to the horror of the scene. In many cases soldiers set 
fire to houses, and to the tears and entreaties of women and 
children, they said their " orders were to burn. We will 
fire; you can do as you please after we go away." An 
officer rode up to our parsonage, and thus addressed Mrs. 
Dickson: "Madam, save what you can; in fifteen mi- 
nutes we will return and fire your house." They did not 
return. Our church and parsonage were saved. The 
printing establishment of the German Reformed Messen- 
ger, belonging to that church, was completely destroyed, 
with all the valuable presses, &c. Dr. Fisher estimates 
the loss to the church at over forty thousand dollars. 
Those of our readers who know the locality, will under- 
stand the extent of this destruction, from the following : 

Beginning at the Presbyterian lecture-room on the 
north, the fire swept every building on the west side of 
Main Street, but four, up to Washington Street, four 
squares ; from King Street on the north, every building on 
the east side of Main Street up to Washington, three 
squares ; from the Franklin Railroad to nearly the top of 
New England Hill, five squares, on both sides of the street ; 
also, five to ten dwellings over the top of New England 
Hill ; from the Market-house down Queen Street, both 
sides, to the Edge-tool Factory, and several buildings on 
the street running parallel with the creek, up to Market 
Street, with many buildings on Second Street from Mar- 
ket, up near the Methodist Church. The Methodist, Ger- 
man Reformed and Lutheran Churches saved the parts of 
the town in which they were situated, from being involved 
in the general conflagration. The Associate Reformed 
and Bethel Churches, the latter belonging to " The Church 
of God," were burned. The Associate Reformed Avas 



48 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

used as headquarters for drafted men, hence its destruc- 
tion. The "Bethel," so marked on a stone in the front, 
was supposed by the fiends to be a negro church. It was 
fired by breaking and gathering together the pews, and 
setting them on fire. In most cases fire was kindled in 
beds or bureaus, by matches, and in balls of cotton satu- 
rated in alcohol or kerosene. 

I saw men and oflScers drinking liquor as it was carried 
from the hotels, the doors of which they broke open. 
Many were drunk. Women were insulted ; cruel taunts 
and threats were profusely made. It appeared as if the 
gates of Pandemonium were opened, and its wretched in- 
mates let loose to scourge the land. 

The citizens of Chamsbersburg have been held up to 
ridicule by the New York press, as cowards, for not repel- 
ling these invaders. Be it known that nearly two thou- 
sand soldiers found it within the purview of their orders 
in duty to leave us to our foes, without arms, organiza- 
tion, or discipline. While not more than eight hundred 
destroyed our town, twenty-eight hundred more, with six 
piecefs of artillery, were encamped on the hills west of the 
town. 

I have thus hastily sketched the foregoing facts, — for 
such they are. The reader will remember they are writ- 
ten by one who lost heavily by the fire ; is now surrounded 
by the extended ruins ; is aware of the sufi'erings and heart- 
breakings of over two thousand men, women, and chil- 
dren, many of whom have been reduced from afiluence to 
poverty, are now dependent for the bread they eat, the 
clothes they wear, and the houses that shelter them, upon 
others more favored. 

J. Hoke. 

Chambeesburg, August 10, 1864. 



THE BURNING OF CIIAMBEllSBURG. 49 

I also append to the foregoing the folloAving graphic 
letter in the Pittsburg Evening Chronicle, afterwards 
copied in the Chambersburg Franklin Repository. It is 
from the pen of the Rev. S. J. Niccolls, the esteemed 
pastor of the Presbyterian congregation in this place : 

So much misapprehension exists in many quarters con- 
cerning the facts connected with the burning of Chambers- 
burg, that it has become a matter of justice to a wronged 
and suffering community to state them fully to the public. 
Many things have been written concerning this calamity 
true in themselves, but disconnected from their attending 
circumstances, and so the most injurious impressions have 
been made on the minds of those who live remote from the 
border. A connected and truthful narrative of this sad 
event, it is hoped, will correct these. The history of the 
past month commences with the advance of Early up the 
Shenandoah, and the invasion of Maryland. The enemy, 
about fifteen hundred strong, soon occupied Hagers- 
town, and it was believed that they intended a raid on 
Chambersburg. At this time there were three hundred 
soldiers in the place, under command of General Couch, 
the whole number available in his department. The 
citizens rallied around these and determined to defend 
the town. Barricades Avere thrown across the streets, 
cannon planted, houses occupied by sharpshooters, and 
every preparation made for defence. Soon, however, the 
enemy fell back across the Potomac, and the invasion was 
declared to be ended. The small body of troops under 
General Couch were withdrawn to protect the National 
capital, and we were left defenceless. We were assured, 
however, that the fords of the Potomac were well guarded, 
and a large army lay between us and the rebels. The 



60 THE BURNING OP CHAMBBRSBURG. 

very papers in New York which now condemn us for our 
apathy, were daily assuring us that it was " all quiet on 
the Potomac," and that the enemy had fallen back. We 
were soon startled from our dream of security by the 
announcement that General Crooks had been defeated, 
and the rebels were again advancing to invade Pennsyl- 
vania. 

We did not then take arms, because it was plain to 
every one that if the forces of Crooks and Averill could 
not resist their advance, it would be folly in a few citizens 
to attempt it. We had seen an invasion once before, and 
knew what it meant. Anticipating a repetition of the 
scenes of last year, the people of the county began to 
remove their stock and valuables. In the midst of con- 
flicting rumors nothing could be learned of the movements 
of the enemy until Friday, July 29th. In the afternoon 
of that day it was known that they had crossed the 
Potomac, and were advancing rapidly on Chambersburg. 
We also learned from Mercersburg that the invading force 
was three thousand strong, or as it afterwards appeared, 
by actual count, twenty-eight hundred, with six pieces 
of artillery. To meet this force there were in the town 
one hundred soldiers, with two pieces of artillery, and. 
the citizens capable of bearing arms. The number of 
the latter would not reach three hundred, a. large portion 
of the population being already in the army, and quite a 
number absent attending to the removal of their horses 
and valuables. The citizens who remained were willing 
to defend the place had it been deemed practicable by 
General Couch, but with this small and inadequate force 
at his disposal, it seemed like courting destruction for the 
town to attempt its defence. A show of resistance, -which 



/ 

THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 51 

none could hope would be successful, would only give them 
a pretext for burning. No word could be obtained from 
General Averill, Avho was then near Greencastle, though 
the most earnest efforts were made by General Couch to 
obtain his assistance. ' 

At 4 o'clock A. M. on Saturday the niilitary authorities 
left, and soon after the combined forceg of McCausland 
and Bradley Johnson were placed in line of battle upon 
the range of hills commanding the town. The Eighth Vir- 
ginia Regiment, numbering about five hundred men, was 
thrown forward into the streets. These were detailed to 
burn the place. Johnson, Gilmore, and McCausland, with 
a number of officers, breakfasted at the Franklin House, 
after which McCausland ordered the Court-house bell to 
ring to call the citizens together. There were none, how- 
ever, who obeyed his call. He then sent out and arrested 
six of our prominent citizens, and read to them the order 
of General Early. It was in three sections : first, demand- 
ing five hundred thousand dollars in currency, or one hun- 
dred thousand in gold ; second, in case this was not com- 
plied Avith, the town Avas to be burned ; third, this was done 
in retaliation for the burning of six houses by General 
Hunter's command. The names of the owners were men- 
tioned in the order. The citizens replied that it was 
utterly impossible to comply with his demand, not one- 
tenth of that amount of money being in the place : and, 
more than that, if it were in their possession, it would 
not be given, as they preferred to lose all rather than give 
a dollar of ransom. 

But while these pretended negotiations were going on, 
the incendiaries were already at their work. As McCaus- 
land released the citizens he had arrested, the smoke was 



62 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

rising from the doomed town, and most of these reached 
their homes to find them in flames. The scene that 
speedily followed is indescribable in its horrors. The 
soldiers went from house to house, bursting open the doors 
Avith planks and axes, and entering, split up the furniture 
to kindle the fire, or else scattered combustible materials 
in the closets and along the stairways, and then applied 
the torch. In a little over half an hour the whole town 
was fired, so complete were their arrangements to accom- 
plish their hellish designs. No time was given the inhabi- 
tants to save anything. The first warning of danger most 
of them had was the kindling of the fire in their houses, 
and even the few articles that some caught up in their 
flight, were seized by the soldiers and flung back into the 
flames. Many such instances have come to the writer's 
knowledge, that in their dark malignity almost surpass 
belief. The aged, the sick, the dying and the dead were 
carried out from their burning homes ; mothers with their 
babes in their arms, and surrounded by their friglitened 
little ones, fled through the streets, jeered and taunted by 
the brutal soldiery. Indeed their escape seemed almost a 
miracle, as the streets Avere in a blaze from one end to the 
other, and they were compelled to flee through a long road 
of fire. Had not the day been perfectly calm (not a strong 
breeze prevailing, as some correspondents have stated), 
many must have perished in the flames. The conflagra- 
tion in its height was a scene of surpassing grandeur and 
terror. A tall black column of smoke rose up to the very 
skies ; around it were wrapped long streamers of flames, 
writhing and twisting themselves into a thousand fantastic 
shapes, Avhile through it, as though they were prayers 
carried heavenward by the incense of some great altar 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 53 

sacrifice, there went up on the smoky flame- riven clouds 
the cries and shrieks of the women and children. But 
the moment of greatest alarm was not reached until some 
of the more humane of the rebel officers warned the women 
to flee if they wished to escape violence to their persons. 
We cannot, in this letter, describe the scenes of the sad 
flight which followed." 

" The ferocity of the rebel soldiers during this aflfair seems 
almost incredible. With all their fierce passions unre- 
strained, they seemed to revel, as if intoxicated, in the work 
of destruction. After firing the houses, they shot at the 
fleeing citizens, and robbed all who fell into their hands. 
An aged elder of the Presbyterian church was taken from 
his house and robbed ; the building was fired while his 
wife, aged and infirm, was still in it. Upon his return, it 
was with the utmost difficulty she Avas saved. Escape by 
the street was impossible, and they were compelled to flee 
to a little garden in the rear of the house, where they sat 
for hours, surrounded by fire. The rebel Gilmore forbade 
a lady to remove her trunks from her house, and upon her 
telling him to his face Avhat she thought of his conduct, 
he drcAv his pistol and declared " he would blow out her 
brains if she did not take that back." Many such in- 
stances, and worse, might be recorded. There were, in- 
deed, some among them who acted humanely, refusing to 
do the work assigned them, but they were exceptions. 

As soon as the town was thoroughly fired at all points, 
the rebels fell back. On their way out they burned the 
residence of the County Superintendent of Public Schools, 
because, as they told his family, " he had taught negroes." 
Two hours after their departure, General Averill entered 
the town, and we were once more inside the Union lines. 



54 THE BURNING OF CHAMBBRSBURG. 

Such is the story of the burning of Chambersburg. These 
outlines, however, form a poor picture of the reality. The 
blackened ruins of this once beautiful town must first be 
seen before the calamity can be understood, and not then, 
for it is only by looking at it in detail, by understanding 
the peculiar sadness there is in each separate loss, and see- 
ing the strange diversity of sorrow there is in this common 
woe, that one can realize the full extent of the ruin. 
Eleven squares of blackened ruins and over three millions 
of dollars in property consumed is the outward estimate 
of the loss. But who can write the history of two thou- 
sand people suddenly made homeless, dashed from affluence 
to poverty, torn violently from the sacred associations of 
the past, and driven forth houseless wanderers among 
strangers ? 

The question is often asked, " Who is responsible for 
this calamity?" Many coldly and unhesitatingly lay it 
upon the citizens themselves ; but surely it is not necessary 
to argue that five hundred citizens could not have resist- 
ed successfully twenty-eight hundred veteran soldiers with 
six pieces of artillery. Many, too, have blamed General 
Couch, and false representations have gone forth that the 
citizens were greatly incensed against him. The writer 
of this letter has had peculiar opportunities of knowing 
the true state of the case, and would ask attention to the 
folloAving facts. When General Couch took command of 
this department, one year ago, he urged upon the citizens 
the necessity of forming organizations for home defence. 
His appeal was readily responded to, and all the citizens 
in this borough capable of bearing arms enrolled them- 
selves in some organization. General Couch then made 
application to the War Department, asking that we might 



THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 55 

be uniformed and enrolled in the general service, so that, 
if we were ever overpowered, we would be treated as pri- 
soners of war and not as guerrillas. This request was de- 
nied. He then proceeded to organize a cavalry force, from 
what Avas known as the " six months' men," for the de- 
fence of the border. Many of our citizens enlisted in this 
force. It was kept on the border until their term of ser- 
vice expired, when they re-enlisted for three years. But 
their new organization was scarcely completed, before they 
were taken from this department and sent to the Army of 
the Potomac. General Couch then proceeded to organize 
the " Provost regiment, for special service in his depart- 
ment." This was filled up to 1200 men, and then, as 
with the rest, taken from him by order of the Secretary 
of War. These gone, scarce a corporal's guard was left 
under his command. 

Two weeks before the advance of Early up the valley, 
General Couch renewed the request of last year, asking 
that the citizens might be armed and enrolled ; stating, 
also, that they were ready to attempt their own defence. 
This was again denied. Then followed the request made 
by Governor Curtin, and indorsed by General Couch, 
Avhich is already published in the Governor's Message. 
At the time of the invasion of Maryland the whole of the 
available force in the Department of the Susquehanna did 
not exceed three hundred men ; and during the raid on 
Chambersburg, General Couch had but one hundred and 
thirty-five men under his command. Nor is he to blame 
for the smallness of this number. He had during this 
month of alarm organized six regiments of one hundred 
days' men ; but these, as soon as equipped, were ordered to 
Washington by the Secretary of War. Such are the facts 



56 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

in the case. We make no comments on the propriety of 
leaving the border thus defenceless. Its security is per- 
haps a small matter compared with the strengthening of 
our armies elsewhere. We only say, General Couch is not 
to blame. He did everything a brave, earnest and faith- 
ful officer could do to avert this calamity. 

Many also are under the impression that this place was 
disloyal, and consequently they have no sympathy with us 
in our affliction. Nothing does greater injustice to our 
suffering community than this. No town of its size in 
Pennsylvania has fewer " sympathizers" with the rebellion 
than Chambersburg. Its quotas have always been filled 
by volunteers, and many of its best citizens have fallen 
on the field of battle. It is false also that any portion of 
the town was saved by paying a ransom. All preferred 
to lose everything rather than pay to keep up the accursed 
cause of the vandals. Even the women, as they looked 
upon the sea of fire that engulfed their loved homes, 
said, with tearless eyes, " Well, I am glad the rebels did 
not get a dollar." Others, when the incendiaries proposed 
to spare their houses for a price, spurned the offer and told 
them to burn. Such was and such is the spirit of the in- 
habitants. The affliction into which they have fallen is 
so great that, were it the result of their own neglect, com- 
mon charity should teach others to speak of them kindly. 
But they do not wish to be excused; they only ask to be 
judged by the facts in the case. The writer has stated such 
as he knows to be true, and subscribes his name to them. 

S. J. NlCCOLLS. 



BUILDINGS BUENED. 



The following is a correct list of the buildings burned by the 
rebels in Chambersburg : 

South Side of Market Street. 

Jacob Wolfkill — Two-story frame front and one-story 

brick back building, ^700 

Patrick Campbell's heirs — Two-story brick front and one- 
story frame back building, ■ . . . . . 700 

Peter McGafEgan — Two-story log front and one-story 

brick back building, ...... 600 

James C. Austin — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, new, ........ 5,000 

R. Austin — Two-story brick front and back building and 

wash-house, ........ 3,000 

William H. McDowell — Two-story stone front and brick 

back building, wash-house, and brick stable, . . 3,000 

James M. Brown — Two-story stone front and brick back 

building, wash-house, and frame stable, . . . 3,300 

Jacob Sellers — Two-story brick front and frame back 

building, brick and frame stables, and ice-house, . • 4,000 

J. W. Douglas — One-story frame front and back building, ' 600 

Martin Brown^-One-and-a-half-story frame front and 

one-story log back building, ..... 1,000 

J. Allison & James C. Eyster — Two-story log front (cased 

with brick) and one-and-a-half-story log back building, 1,000 

Mrs. Jordan — Two-story brick front and back building, 5,000 
6* 



68 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

L. S. Clark — Two-story frame front, two-story back build- 
ing, and frame stable, $1,200. 

C. M. Duncan — Two-story brick front and back building, 

frame law office, and frame stable, .... 2,000 

Edmund Culbertson — Two-story brick front and back 

building, brick law office, and two-story stone barn, . 6,000 

Mrs. Bard — Two-story brick front and back building, 

two-story brick law office, and row frame law offices, . 6,500 

Gehr & Denny — Three-story brick front and two-story 
back building, one three-story brick front, and one 
two-story front building, ...... 5,500 

C. M. Duncan — Three-story brick front and back build- 
ing, three-story brick arcade, two two-story brick 
stables, and one two-story frame stable, . . . 15,000 

Aug. Duncan — Three-story brick front building, . . 1,500 

Henry Monks — Three-story brick front building, . . 1,500 

Edward Aughinbaugh — Three-story brick front building, 1,500 

Dr. William H. Boyle — Three-story brick front building, 2,000 

Mary Gillan — Three-story brick front building, . . 1,500 

T. J. Wright — Three-story brick front and one-story back 

building, 1,800 

Samuel F. Greenawalt — Two-story brick front and back 
building, frame wash-house, brick smoke-house, and 
frame stable, 3,000 

A. H. McCulloh — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, and stone stable, ...... 2,000 

Rev. Mr. Nelson — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, frame building, and stone stable, . . . 2,000 

John P. Culbertson — Three two-story brick front, and 

one back building and wash-house, .... 5,000 

Mrs. Riddle — Two-story brick front and back 'building, 

wash-house, and frame stable, . . • . . 3,500 

E. Finfrock — Two-story front and back building, brick 

wash-house, frame wash-house, and frame stable, . ' 2,000 



BUILDINGS BURNED. 59 

TV. F. Eyster & Bro. — Foundry — Two two-story brick 

front and back buildings and stable/. . , . $4,000 

Kobert E.Tolbert — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing and brick stable, 2,000 

Matthew Gillan's heirs — Two three-story brick fronts and 
two two-story back buildings, log house, wash-house, 
and brick stable, 6,000 

Alex. Fritz — Two-story brick front and one-story frame 

and log back building, 1,000 

Mrs. Frederick Smith — Two-story brick front and back 

building, ' . . . 1,200 

John Burkholder's heirs — Two-story brick front and back 

building, and log barn, 2,000 

Hunter Robison — Two-story brick front and log back 

building, and log stable, ...... 1,200 

Jacob B. Miller — Two-story brick building, . . . 400 

John Bigley — One-and-a-half-story frame and two one- 
story log buildings, ....... 500 

Thomas Cook — Two-story log front and two one-story 

frame back buildings, 600 

Nathan Pierce — Two-story log front (roughcast) and two- 
story brick back building and wash-house, . . 1,000 

Barnet Wolff — Two-story frame building, . . . 600 

J. M. Wolfkill — Two-story brick front and two two-story 

back buildings, 2,500 

Jacob Bhafer — Two-story brick front and one-story brick 

back building and frame shop, .... 1,000 

Richard Woods — Two-story brick front and one-and-a- 
half-story log back building and brick wash-house, . 800 

John King — Two-story log and one-story brick buildings, 400 

Christ. Pisle — Two-story brick building, . . . 500 

Mrs. Elizabeth Stouffer — Two-story brick front and one- 
story brick back building, 1,800 



60 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 

Andrew Banker — One-story brick shop, two-story brick 

house, and frame barn, ...... $2,000 

Mrs. Butler — Two-story log building and frame stable, . 400 

Mary Rapp — Two-story log building, . - . . . 400 

James Nill's heirs — Two-story brick front and shed, . 500 
Josiah Allen — Two-story brick and one-story frame 

building, 1,000 

North Side Market Street. 

C. Stout — Two two-story log buildings and wood-shed, . 800 
Samuel Brant — Two-story brick building, . . . 800 

j John M. McDowell — Two-story brick front and one-story 
back building, two-story brick front building, log and 
frame barn, hog-pen, wagon-maker shop, and black- 
smith shop, and hay scales, ..... 3,500 

Daniel Trostle — Two-story brick front and back building, 

and two-story brick barn, ..... 1,500 

Mrs. Radebaugh — Stone and frame barn, . , . 800 

Mrs. Jos. Chambers — Two-story brick front and back 

building, and brick stable, ..... 5,500 

; George W. Brewer — Two-story brick front and back 
"' building, two-story brick office, spring and smoke- 
house, and brick and stone barn, . . . . 5,500 

Mrs. Jacob Smith — Log stable, ..... 100 

John Miller (innkeeper) — Two-story brick front and 
back building, two-story brick hotel, wash-house, one 
brick and two frame stables, brick wagonmaker and 
blacksmith shops, ....... 8,000 

/ John B. Cook — Two-story stone (roughcast) and .two- 
story frame buildings, bark-house and grinding-mill, 
bark-shed, and brick stable, ..... 5,000 

y C. W. Eyster — Two three-story brick mills and two- 
story brick building, ...... 15,000 



BUILDINGS BURNED. 61 

Lambert & Huber — Four-story stone and frame paper- 
mill and steam-house, ...... $15,000 

C. W. Eyster — Two-story brick front and back building, 

and brick stable, 3,000 

S. M. Shillito— Two-story brick building, . . . 1,500 

James King — Two-story brick building, frame shop, and ^' 

shed, 1,200 

Peter Brough — Three-story brick front and one-story back 

building (unfinished), ...... 3,000 

John Noel — Three-story stone front and back building 

and stone stable, ....... 8,000 

Court-house — Three-story brick, 45,000 

Engine-house — Two-story brick, ..... 1,000 

D. 0. Gehr — Two-story brick front and back building, / 
smoke-house, brick stable, frame wagon-shed, . . 5,500 

B. F. Nead — Two-story brick front and back building, 

spring and smoke house, brick stable, . . . 5,000 

A. D. Caufman — Three-story brick front and back build- 
ing, and log stable, ...... 4,000 

Mrs. Goettman — Two-story brick front and back building, 

two-story log front (roughcast), and brick back build- ' 

ing, bake-house, brick wash-house, brick stable, . 5,500 

PeifFer's heirs — Two-story stone house (old jail), frame 
smith-shop, two-story frame shop, one-and-a-half-story 
frame front and one-story brick back building, frame 
stable, ". . . . . . . . . 2,600 

T. B. Kennedy — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, smoke-house, and wash-house, .... 8,000 

Rev. B. S. Schneck — Two-story stone front and brick 

back building, and wash-house, . • v • • 3,000 

Levi Humelshine — Two-story log front and frame back 

building, and frame shed, ..... 600 

Samuel Etter — Two-story brick front and back building, 

and frame bake-house, . . - . . . . 3,000 



62 THE BURNING OP CHAMBERSBURG. 

Rev. N. ScWosser — Two-story log front and frame back 

building, and shed (two families), .... $1,000 

Sebastian Eckert — Two-story stone front and brick back 
■building, 1,000 

West Side Main Street to Square. 

Benjamin Chambers — Two-story brick cottage and two- 
story brick back building, ..... 5,000 

William G. Reed — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, and frame and brick stable, .... 5,000 

Mrs. C. Snyder — Two-story brick front and back building, 3,000 

Allen Smith — Two-story brick front and back building, 

small frame stable, ....... 1,600 

Christian Flack — Two-story log and weather-boarded 
front and one-story frame back building, small frame 
stable, 1,000 

John Schofield — Two-story log weathei'-boarded front and 
one-story back building, brick shop, and small frame 
stable, 1,600 

Matthew P. Welsh— Two-story brick front and back 

building, brick wash-house, ..... 2,500 

Christian Stouffer (machiaist)^Two-story br-ick front 

and back building, frame stable, .... 3,000 

George Chambers's residence — Two-story brick front and 
back building, one-story brick smoke-house, two-story 
stone stable, 7,000 

George Chambers (seminary) — Three-story stone front, 
and three-story stone and brick back building, smoke- 
house, . . . , 5,000 

George Chambers (millinery shop) — Two-story brick front 

and back building, . 2,000 

A. J. Miller — Two-story stone front and brick back build- 
ing, one-story brick back building, wash and smoke- 
house, 4,500 



BUILDINGS BURNED. ^6 

James Watson — Two-story brick front and back building, $4,500 
11. Austin — Two-story brick front and two-story brick 

back building, 2,500 

East Side Main, from Square to King Street. 

Franklin Hall— Three-story brick building, . . . 20,000 

Jacob Hoke & Co. — Two-story brick front, and two-story 

brick back building and frame stable, . . . 5,500 

Dr. Langenheim — Two-story brick front, two-story frame 

back building, and frame stable, .... 3,000 
Widow Montgomery (hotel) — Three-story brick front and 

two-story brick back building, two-story stone front, 

and two-story brick back building and brick stable, . 9,000 
Daniel Trostle — Two-story brick and stone front and three 

two-story stone back buildings, lot of sheds and stone 

stable, 7,000 

Susan Chambers — One-story brick shop, two-story house, 

and stone stable, . . . . . . . 2,500 

A. P. Frey — Two-story frame and log front and one-story 

brick back building, two story brick shop, coachmaker- 

shed, and blacksmith shop, and log stable, . . 3,000 

A. S. Hull — Two-story brick front and one-story back 

building and frame wash-house, .... 2,000 
Mrs. Geo. Goettman — Two-story log (weather-boarded), 

brick back building, and frame shop, . . • 1,200 

West Side Main, from Square to Washington Street. 

Chambersburg Bank — Two-story brick front and back 

building, smoke and wash-house, stable, . . . 8,000 

Mrs. Gilmore — Two-story brick front and back building, 

and two frame shops, ...... 5,500 

Jacob B. Miller — Two-story frame front (brick-cased), 

and two-story back, coal-shed, stove-shed, frame stable, 3,000 



64 THE BURNING OF CHAMBBRSBURG. 

Dr. Richards — Two-story brick front and back building, 

smoke-house, stable, ...... ^5,500 

Christian Burkhart — Three-story brick front and back 

building, frame ice-house, stable, .... 4,500 

John M. Cooper — Three-story brick front, three-story 
brick back, and two-story brick back buildings, stone 
stable, &c., 15,000 

James L. Black — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, spring-house, stable, 5,000 

Dr. James Hamilton — Three-story brick front and back 

building, and stable, 7,000 

John A. Grove — Frame shop, 250 

Jacob Hutton — Three-story brick front and two two-story 

brick back buildings, wash and smoke-houses, . . 4,500 

John McClintock — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, hatter-shop and smoke-house, .... 3,500 

Lewis Shoemaker — Two-story brick front and back 

building, store-room, bake-house, and ice-house,. . 4,200 

Samuel Greenawalt — Two-story brick front and back 

buildings, and frame shed, ..... 5,500 

J. Allison Eyster — Two-story brick front and one-and-a- 
half-story back building, 5,000 

J. Allison Eyster — Two-story brick front and one-and-a- 
half story back building, ...... 1,500 

J. Allison Eyster — Three-story brick front and two two- 
story back buildings, and brick stable, . . . 5,000 

Wm. Heyser's heirs — Two-story brick front and back 
buildings, brick bake and smoke-house, and brick 
stable, 5,500 

Rev. S. R. Fisher— Brick stable, 500 

G-eo. Lehner — Log stable, ...... 400 

George Ludwig — Two-story brick front and four two- 
story and one one-and-a-half-story brick back buildings, 
frame shed, and one-story brick bake-house, . . 7,000 



BUILDINGS BURNED. . 65 

Charles F, Miller — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, brick wash-house, ...... $4,500 

Adam Wolff — Two-story frame and brick front and frame 

shed, 1,200 

John Forbes — Two-story log front and one-story brick 

back building, frame wash and smoke-house, . . 2,000 

John Dittman — Two-story brick front and back building, 2,000 
Joseph Deckelmayer — Two-story brick front and back 

building, one-story bakery, ..... 3,000 
Samuel Ott — Two two-story brick front and one two- 
story brick back building, ..... 4,000 
B. Radebaugh — One-story frame shop, . . . . 150 

Samuel Ott — One-story frame shop, .... 200 
B. Radebaugh — Two-story brick front building, . . 600 

East Side Main, from Washington to Sq[uare. 

F. Spahr — Two-story brick front and back building, . 2,500 

Miss Hetrick — Two-story brick front and one-story brick 

back building, 1,500 

John A. Lemaster — Two-story brick front and back 

building, and frame shed, ..... 1,500 

Aug. Reineman — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ings, 2,500 

Samuel M. Perry — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, 2,000 

David L. Taylor — Two-story log (weather-boarded) front 

and frame back buildings, . . . . , 1,500 

John W. Taylor — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, wash and smoke-house, stable, shed, and hay scales, 7,000 

George Ludwig — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, tin-shop, frame sheds, brick stable, . . . 4,000 

H. H. Hutz — Two-story brick front and back buildings, 
wash and smoke-house, and brick stable, . . , 6,500 

7 



TUB BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 



Daniel Reisher — Two-and-a-half-story brick front and 
two-story back building, frame kitchen, wash, smoke, 
and bake-house, and stable, ..... 

Michael Kuss — Two-story brick front and back building, 
wash-house and stone stable, ..... 

Isaac Hutton — Two-story brick front and two-story brick 
back building, wood and wash-house, back shop, and 
stone stable, ........ 

John P. Culbertson — One-story frame front and two frame 
back shops, ........ 

Dr. John Lambert — Two-story brick front and two-story 
back building, brick stable and carriage house, . 

Mrs. R. Fisher — Two-story brick front building, . 

William Wallace (hotel) — Three-story brick front and 
three-story back building, and wash-house, 

Daniel Reisher — Two-story brick front and two two-story 
back buildings and brick stable, .... 

J. Allison Eyster (Nixon's) — Two-story brick front and 
two two-story back buildings, brick shed, and two- 
story brick shop, ....... 

James Eyster — Two-story brick front and two-story back 
building, brick stable, ...... 

Eyster & Bro. — Two-story stone front, brick back build- 
ing, and one kitchen, ...... 

Eyster & Bro. — Three-story brick front, warehouse, 
brick stable, ....... 

Brand & Flack — -Two-story stone front and brick back 
building, brick warehouse, ..... 

A. J. White — Two-story stone front and brick back 
building and kitchen, ...... 

Hiram White — Three-story brick front, and back build- 
ing and kitchen, ...'".... 

John Jeffries — Two-story stone front and brick back 
building, brick wash-house, and frame stable, . 



$4,500 
2,500 

4,000 

800 

5,590 
5,000 

9,000 

6,000 

4,500 
4,500 
5,500 
10,000 
6,500 
4,500 
7,500- 
3,000 



BUILDINGS BURNED. 67 

A. B. Hamilton — Two-story stone front and frame and 

brick back buildings, frame wash-house, brick stable, $6,000 

Mansion House — Three-story brick front and two-story 

brick back building, and stone stable, . . . 10,000 

Academy — Two-story brick, 4,000 

Queen— South Side. 

John W. Reges — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, and wash-house, 4,000 

William Cunningham — Two-story brick front and back 

building, wash-house, and granary, .... 3,000 

John Mull — Two-story brick front and back building, . 2,000 

J. T. Hoskinson — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, 2,200 

Jacob Flinder — Two-story frame front and one-story back 

building, ........ 800 

Jacob Flinder — Two-story frame front and one-story back 

building and stable, 700 

William Wallace — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, wash-house, and wood-work of spring-house, . 4,000 

Mrs. John Lindsay — Two-story brick front and back 

building, . 2,500 

Barnard Wolff — Two two-story brick front and back 
buildings, one-story frame kitchen, wash-house, ware- 
house, frame butcher-shop, frame carriage-house, one- 
story brick stable, ....... 7,500 

J. Allison p]yster — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, 2,200 

Mrs. Blood — Two-story brick front and two two-story 

brick back buildings, 1,800 

Mrs. Clark — Two-story brick front and back building, . 1,800 

Mrs. R. Fisher — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, 2,000 

Mrs. Sarah Stevenson — Two two-story brick front and 

one back building, wash and smoke-house, . . 2,000 



68 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBUEa. 

John D. Grier — Two-story brick front and back building, S4,500 
Mrs. Susan Nixon — Two-story brick front and one-story 

back building, 1,800 

Robert Davis — Two-story brick building, . . . 2,000 

John Cree — Twostory brick front and back building, 

wash and smoke-house, ...... 2,500 

Samuel Myers — Two-story brick front, one two-and-a-half 

and one two-story back building, .... 3,200 
Mrs. Thompson — Two-story log building, . . . 600 

Mrs. George S. Eyster — Two-story brick front and back 

building, 2,500 

Andrew Banker — Two-story log front and back building 

(roughcast), and smoke-house, 1,500 

ftneen— North Side. 

Huber & Co. (edge-tool factory) — Five one-story brick 

and one frame building, ...... 3,500 

Brick blacksmith shop, ...... 600 

^ '^ Bethel" (Church)— Brick, 3,000 

v^ George Ludwig (brewery) — Two-story stone front and 
back building, two-story brick back building, one-story 
office and engine-house, frame stable, two-story shed, . 8,000 

Widow Grove (of William) — Two-story frame front and 

back building, brick smoke-house, .... 1,500 

Thomas Carlisle — Two-story brick front building, and 

two-story frame front building, .... 3,000 

Kindline's heirs — Two-story brick front and two-story 
frame back building, two-story log and brick front and 
two-story brick back building, ..... 4,000 

Widow Grove (of Alexander) — Two-story frame front 

and one-story back building, smoke-house, frame stable, 1,200 

John Huber — Two-story brick front and back building, 

one-story kitchen, frame stable, .... 3,000 

Abraham Huber — Two-story brick front building and 

brick kitchen, frame stable, ..... 2,000 



BUILDINGS BURNED. by 

H. Sierer — Two-story frame front and back building, 
two-story frame wareroom, stone stable, shed, one-story 
kitchen, adjoining Stevenson's, ..... S3, 000 

Thomas Carlisle — Two-story brick front and two two-story 

back buildings, 2,500 

William Wallace — Three three-story brick front, and 
three two-story brick back buildings, two one-story 
frame shops, and two-and-a-half-story brick stable, . 8,000 

Nicholas Snyder — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, two frame wash-houses and frame stable, . . 2,500 

Dr. S. D. (Julbertson — Two-and-a-half-story brick front, 
and two-story brick back building, brick spring-house, 
and brick stable, 4,000 

Mrs. Brand — Roof slightly damaged. 

J. P. Culbertson — Two-story brick front and back build- 
ing, smoke and spring-house and stable, . . . 4,500 

Second Street. 
P. Henry PeiflPer — New two-story frame stable, . . 1,900 

Associate Reformed Church — One-story brick building, 

with end gallery, . . . - . . . . 3,000 

Benjamin Rhodes — Two-story log front and one-story 

brick back building, ...... 1,200 

J. Allison Eyster — One-story log shop, . . . 100 

Charles Croft — One-and-a-half-story log building and 

frame kitchen, ....... 800 

John P. Keefer — Two-story brick building and frame 

kitchen, 1,500 

John Reasner — One-story log bakery and frame corn- 
crib, 150 

Jacob S. Brown — Roof and upper floor of front and back 

building, 500 

John Doebler — Two-story brick front and two-story back 

building, 2,000 



70 THE BURNING QF CHAMBERSBURG. 

Holmes Crawford — Two-story brick front, and two-story 

back building, $3,000 

Sarnuel Armstrong — Two-story brick front and back 

building, kitchen, stable, and frame shed, . . . 4,000 

Aug. Reineman — Two one-story frame shops and black- 
smith shop, ........ 1,000 

Franklin. 

Martin Cole — Two-story brick front and back, and two- 
story log buildings, and wash-house, . . . 1,500 

Philip Evans — Two-story brick front and one-story frame 

back building, 1,200 

Wolfstown. 
Dr. A. H. Senseny — Two one-story log buildings, . . 200 

N. Uglow — Three one-story log buildings, . . . 250 

Water. 

George Kindline — One-and-a-half-story brick wagonmaker 

and blacksmith shop, one brick stable, . . . 800 

Alley. 

Widow Palmer — Frame stable, ..... 150 

Nicholas Grerwick — Frame stable, .... 100 

Henry Greenawalt — Brick stable, .... 300 

King. 

George Chambers — Three two-story brick front and one 

one-story brick back buildings, .... 2,500 

Upton Washabaugh —Two-story frame front and brick 
back building, stone brewery, brick granary, wagon-shed, 
two brick stables, and frame shed, .... 8,000 

Conrad Harman — Stone and frame butcher-shop, and 

dwelling, frame stable, ...... 800 

A. K. MeClure— House and barn, .... 9,500 

Jacob Eby— Barn, 2,500 

Andrew McElwaine — House, 400 



BUILDINGS BURNED. 71 

Recapitulation. 

The follo\ving is the aggregate of buildings burued : 

Residences and places of business, .... 266 

Barns and stables, ....... 98 

Out-buildings of various kinds, ..... 173 

Total buildings burned, ,...., 537 

The aggregate valuation of the real estate, as made by 
a committee of upright and disinterested citizens, consist- 
ing of Messrs. Wm. McLellan, C. M. Burnet, Rev. Joseph 
Clark, D. K. Wunderlich, and John Armstrong, is $783,- 
950. We are unable this week to give a full account of 
the loss of personal property, hut it will greatly exceed 
the real estate." 

In regard to the estimates, I will merely add that they are 
low — generally speaking, very low. I say this, not because 
I find any fault with the judicious committee of gentlemen 
who made those estimates — I rather commend them for 
their course — but for the purpose simply of mentioning the 
fact, that the actual loss was really much greater than the 
figures indicate. Thus, for instance, the Court-house is 
put down at |45,000, whereas, an experienced builder has 
stated to me, it could not be rebuilt for less than $80,000. 
The Mansion House (the printing and publishing house 
of the German Reformed Church), with a stone livery 
stable, are put down at $10,000, whereas, $15,000 would 
not replace them as they were. Colonel McClure's large 
and beautiful residence, with his spacious model barn, are 
put down at $9500, but they could not now be restored 
for less than $20,000. And so with most of the buildings. 
A million of dollars will not suffice to restore them, and 



72 THE BURNING OP CHAMBERSBURG. 

twice as much more will not cover the losses of such per- 
sonal property as money can replace. 

In conclusion, permit me to add, that if our border is 
protected hereafter, and some reasonable assurance is given 
to our people that incursions by the enemy will be ren- 
dered impossible, our town will he rebuilt, gradually, but 
surely. If, however, no such assurance is given, no evi- 
dence of a desire on the part of our authorities for border 
defence is afforded, if our people are coolly told that the 
Cumberland Valley is intended to be " a trap in which to 
catch the rebels, and which must therefore be left open," 
then, alas ! there will be no heart to remain and rebuild 
the town ; but, imitating many of our disheartened farmers, 
our citizens will leave, regretfully indeed, but rather than 
be in constant dread and apprehension, leave they will, 
and allow the ruins of their houses and hearths to remain 
behind them, and seek out some more sheltered or seques- 
tered spot, where they may live and die in " quietness and 
in peace." 



F IJN- 1 s. 



